A self-proclaimed golf fanatic since he was barely able to walk, Brent Paladino was never content with just one job in the industry. He has two. The 39-year-old New Jersey resident was elected to PGA of America Membership in 2013 while working for the Connecticut State Golf Association (CSGA). But that wasn’t enough for Paladino.
Six years later he took a job with the United States Golf Association (USGA) as Senior Director of Championship Administration. Paladino is one of only two PGA of America Members presently working for the USGA (the other is Ben Schade in Rules).
“Some of my friends are a little jealous that I’m a PGA Professional employed by the USGA,” says Paladino. “I’m so thankful for what I do. Golf has been a part of my life since I was 2.”
Even more so these days. Paladino is in his extra-busy stretch of helping administer the USGA’s 15 national championships, making sure the proper players are in the fields from the nearly 50,000 entries – as well as handling trophies and equipment.
He has also spent time this year preparing for his eighth PGA Professional Championship, held late last month at Bandon (Oregon) Dunes Golf Resort, where he hoped to realize his dream of playing in the PGA Championship by finishing in the top 20.
And, oh yeah, he’ll spend part of this month and next helping the USGA set up Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, New York, for the U.S. Open.
“I’ve been involved in the course setup for U.S. Opens since 2022,” says Paladino (pictured above and below left). “I love to bring a player’s eye to the discussions.”
He certainly has the resume. Paladino was Connecticut’s Player of the Year in 2007 before playing golf at the College of William & Mary in Virginia. His says his biggest moment as a player was winning the 2023 New Jersey Open.
Paladino’s golf background helps the USGA in many ways, says USGA President Kevin Hammer.
“Brent is a central figure in the USGA and our Championship department,” Hammer explains. “Brent is a great player himself, but he is an even better teammate to our inside the ropes setup teams.
“His extensive experience along with his positive influence and work is valued across multiple divisions of the organization.”
How does Paladino find the time to work for the USGA, keep his PGA Membership, be a married father of two young girls and work on his game?
“I have to be efficient with my time,” he says. “A good week is practicing maybe twice for an hour or an hour and a half. I have to find a swing that’s repeatable.
“When you’re playing every day, like when I tried to play professionally after college, you can deal with things in your swing. I don’t have that luxury now. I need to have a consistent swing that I can count on.”
The closest Paladino came to qualifying for the PGA Championship was at the 2022 PGA Professional Championship at Omni Barton Creek when he was inside the top 20 entering the final round. He closed with a 77, however, to finish tied for 33rd.
“I go into every event thinking I’m going to win,” Paladino says. “Like Tiger Woods once said, ‘If you’re trying to finish in the top 20, you probably won’t ever win.’ I’d love to win a PGA Professional Championship, make the PGA (Championship) and make the cut.”
After working for the CSGA, he earned an MBA at Xavier University and transitioned to Golf House Kentucky, a hybrid job that involved the Kentucky Golf Association and the Kentucky PGA Section, where Paladino served as Executive Director from 2018-19. He received hands-on education on how to run 200-plus events, making sure the top players had the best opportunity to qualify.
This knowledge came in handy when he took the USGA job, where one of Paladino’s responsibilities is to weed out imposters. He remembers a guy who somehow managed to get into a U.S. Open local qualifier and shot about 130.
Paladino later suggested the USGA introduce exemptions for state and Allied Golf Associations champions to ensure the best players had a chance to qualify for the U.S. Amateur.
“One of my proudest accomplishments,” he says.
Paladino is too busy these days to rest on his accomplishments. There are many USGA championships to administer, which is a year-round job.
Moreover, he entered the PGA Professional Championship hoping to qualify for the 2026 PGA Championship and then help with the setup of the U.S. Open. Lucky guy.—Craig Dolch
