A lot has happened in golf since you were PGA of America President. How are you adjusting to changes in the sport and at the PGA of America itself?
Sprague: The last 10 years have been eventful and very good for golf. The recreational game is enjoying a nice ride with a wave of new golfers and core golfers playing more, and the PGA of America Golf Professional has been at the center of that.
The opening of the new “Homequarters” of the Association is still a work in progress, as we still have some employees in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. So, we need to make sure that we handle the challenge of maintaining our services for Members and Sections while we migrate everybody and backfill some positions here in Frisco.
Certainly a lot has happened and is happening in the golf business, but I’m fortunate to have a good historical perspective and good relationships with the current officers and board members.
You mentioned the upcoming Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York. What are your thoughts on the PGA of America working to bolster its largest spectator championships?
Sprague: A domestic Ryder Cup year like this is really the beginning of a four-year business cycle for the PGA of America, and a lot of our budgeting is built around that cycle. There’s so much good about the Ryder Cup and the PGA Championship for our members, both financially and from the global stage they provide to share our story with golfers around the world. It’s something that we as PGA of America Members can be very proud about, to have a billion fans worldwide watching our events – and us having a chance to showcase what golf professionals do to make this game so great for all kinds of players.
What are some of the priorities you’ve established over your first 100 days as CEO?
Sprague: I think employment is such an important issue. The growth of the game in the last five years is like a rocket ship taking off, and we need to make sure there are enough PGA of America Members to serve the game – and new PGA Members in the pipeline, as well.
What I’m hearing from golf course owners and operators is that they’re in high need of more PGA of America Golf Professionals. The growth of the game has really put the spotlight on how our PGA of America Members make a difference in bringing revenue to golf facilities, from running player development programs to overseeing complex golf operations and so much more.
I’ve met with many employers who are asking for help in finding more PGA of America Golf Professionals, and that’s the signal that we need to do whatever we can from education to employment to prepare the next generation of golf professionals to serve the game. We have a nice uptick in Associates and PGA University enrollment, and employment is going to be a high priority going forward.
I also want to make sure that the PGA of America maintains its position as a well-respected organization as part of golf’s leadership. We’ve taken a stand on the proposed golf ball rollback from the USGA and R&A based on the fact that it will create a very challenging situation for PGA of America Golf Professionals at the grassroots level. So, I’ve had great conversations with the USGA, R&A, PGA TOUR and the DP World Tour, very constructive conversations, and those are going to continue.
It was monumentally important to me in my first 100 days to make sure the PGA of America has a seat at the table with the other golf organizations to make sure our PGA of America Members are represented and heard from in a significant way.
For you personally, what are you most excited about as CEO of the PGA of America?
Sprague: I think most PGA of America Members love giving back to the game, and what I love now is the chance to give back to the Association that has given me so much. I look forward to making sure we provide great education for our future generations, and making sure that our PGA of America REACH Foundation team is able to continue its important work with programs like PGA HOPE, PGA Jr. League and PGA WORKS.
I think we’re at a great time in the golf business right now, so I want to make sure that the PGA of America staff gets the necessary tools to funnel resources and assistance to PGA of America Members and put them in the best position for success. I can tell you everyone here in Frisco is focused on serving the member and growing the game – and if we do that, we’ll continue the momentum that our game has seen over the past few years into the future.