The PGA of America conferred honorary membership on former Acushnet Co. executive Peter Broome at the conclusion of its annual meeting in Frisco, Texas, last Thursday. Broome, the association’s 13th honorary member, was elected for his outstanding contributions to golf and for decades of support to PGA of America professionals.
Broome joins the likes of former presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush, entertainer Bob Hope and golf legend Gary Player as honorary PGA members.
“To join former U.S. presidents and other golf luminaries on this short list of PGA honorary members is humbling and overwhelming,” Broome said.
Broome was diagnosed in August 2024 with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, leading to the creation with his family and close friends of The Bridge Foundation to raise awareness and funding in support, research and treatment for the ALS community. Global Golf Post profiled Broome and his foundation’s efforts in August. READ MORE
Charlie Woods, the 16-year-old son of Tiger Woods, was among 12 boys the American Junior Golf Association named to its 2025 Rolex Junior All-America first team announced last Wednesday.
Woods won the AJGA’s Team TaylorMade Invitational in May. Miles Russell, the 17-year-old who was an alternate for this year’s U.S. Walker Cup team, was selected player of the year for the second time. U.S. Girls’ Junior champion Aphrodite Deng was named player of the year in the girls’ division.
The teams were determined exclusively through the Rolex AJGA Rankings as of Oct. 14. Tiger Woods was the AJGA player of the year in 1991 and 1992. READ MORE
Tap-Ins
The PGA of America inducted renowned instructor Jim McLean, LPGA legend Nancy Lopez, adaptive trick-shot artist Dennis Walters, PGA past president Jim Richerson, and PGA professionals Ronny Glanton and JD Turner into its Hall of Fame last Wednesday. READ MORE
The PGA honored its national award winners last Tuesday. Among those honored were Scott Paris (Golf Professional of the Year), Jason Baile (Teacher & Coach of the Year), Tony LaFrenere (Golf Executive of the Year), Jason Epstein (Bill Strausbaugh Award) and the late Kammy Maxfeldt, who was honored posthumously with the Deacon Palmer Award given annually to a PGA professional who displays outstanding integrity, character and leadership in the effort to overcome a major obstacle in his or her life. READ MORE
Georgia Tech men’s golf coach Bruce Heppler will retire following the 2025-26 season, his 31st season at the helm, he announced last week. READ MORE
Mark Mungeam was elected president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects at the organization’s recent annual meeting. READ MORE
Ron Balicki, the late college and amateur golf writer for Golfweek and a Connecticut native, will be inducted into the Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame next month. READ MORE
Through a partnership with Golf Galaxy and Dick’s House of Sport that was announced last Tuesday, Youth on Course will offer its members benefits that include $5 per hour simulator rental fees, one free lesson from a PGA teaching professional and special in-store events. READ MORE
Compiled by Mike Cullity