At the recent grand opening of the PGA of America campus in Frisco, Texas, CEO Seth Waugh said, “The PGA of America has had many headquarters, but now we have a home.”
So important is the notion of home for the nearly 29,000 members of the PGA of America that “Home of the PGA of America” is emblazoned on the outside of the building, facing the expansive campus. The PGA doesn’t use the word headquarters.
I had a chance to tour the new 106,622-square-foot facility recently. It is a four-story building that faces the soon-to-open Omni PGA Frisco Resort as well as a golfer playground called PGA District.
The top floor has a large meeting room with a balcony that overlooks the campus. This was designed with the member in mind. Trophies from key association championships will be on display, as well as profiles of the founding golf clubs and the current board of directors. Outdoor meetings and meals can be enjoyed on the balcony.
The third and second floors house non-traditional office space, open areas and common areas for what is expected to be 350 workers.
The word that comes to mind when I reflect on my visit is "thoughtful."
It’s the first floor that really sets this building apart from most offices. Upon walking in, a visitor is greeted by a massive digital board with rotating pictures of PGA members. When a member arrives with his RFID-enabled membership card, his or her picture will be shown on the board. If the member doesn’t like the image, there is a photo booth in the lobby where a new headshot can be created.
There are interactive story boards with information about PGA of America members. On prominent display will be the trophies from the PGA of America’s four major tournaments: PGA Championship, Women’s PGA, Senior PGA and the biennial Ryder Cup.
Upon walking into the main floor, a visitor comes upon the PGA of America Education Center. It features an indoor short-game practice area complete with a sand bunker, a large practice green with motion-capture sensors, and 15 hitting bays with four simulators and every launch monitor imaginable. There are outdoor hitting bays as well as a club building and repair shop. Off to the side are five classrooms. This is where the next generation of PGA professionals will learn their trade, and it’s all quite impressive.
On the other side of the building, a state-of-the-art digital production room will figure prominently when PGA tournaments – beginning with the Senior PGA Championship in May – are played onsite. Down a hallway, a fitness room with showers and lockers lead to a good-sized lunch area. Outside of this area is an open space called the PGA Hall Of Fame Garden, with plaques honoring the association’s inductees.
Across the way, in the PGA District, there is a 72,000-square-foot putting green called The Dance Floor and a lighted 10-hole short course that can accommodate play well into the night. By summer, this area will be populated with retail shops, bars and restaurants as a part of the resort. Expect raucousness, in a good, fun way.
The word that comes to mind when I reflect on my visit is "thoughtful." A lot of time and thought was given to every aspect of the building and campus, down to the smallest detail. It is a remarkable building, and all members of the PGA of America would be well-served to visit.
It is, after all, their “home.”
Top: PGA of America's new home in Frisco, Texas
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