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November 19, 2013

97th PGA Annual Meeting to Focus on Strategic Plan of World’s Largest Sports Organization

More than 350 PGA Professionals are expected to gather this week (Nov. 21-23) at the San Diego Hotel & Marina for the 97th PGA Annual Meeting. Delegates, comprised of PGA Board members, Past Presidents and representatives of all 41 PGA Sections, will bring into focus the plans that The PGA is developing to further advance golf and empower PGA Professionals to grow the game.Following the theme of “Charting Our Course,” delegates will experience a highly interactive and engaging Annual Meeting, through such new elements such as a PGA Annual Meeting App (which delegates can download in advance), and a live Twitter feed. PGA leaders also will hear from former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who will focus his keynote address on leadership, and PGA member Lee Trevino, the recipient of the 2012 PGA Distinguished Service Award.”To be able to glean insight from such notable figures as Mayor Giuliani and Lee Trevino is a rare opportunity for our delegates,” said PGA of America President Ted Bishop. “It’s exciting to hear from high-profile figures and I also want our delegates to be heard and know that their input is part of the collaborative effort to better serve our members and the game.”

Joining Bishop and Chief Executive Officer Pete Bevacqua are Vice President Derek Sprague and Secretary Paul Levy. In San Diego, they will call upon the delegates, representing the 27,000 men and women PGA Professionals, to produce greater dialogue and conversation at the Association’s largest governance event.

In addition to the remarks from Giuliani on Saturday, Nov. 23, seven new members of the PGA Board of Directors will be sworn in, including Pro Football Hall of Famer Lynn Swann, who will become one of two Independent Directors on the Board. The others to be sworn in (all serve three-year terms):

  • District 1 Director: Donnie Lyons, PGA general manager and director of golf, Town of Lynnfield (Mass.) – Reedy Meadow Golf Course & King Rail Golf Course. (Connecticut, New England, Northeastern New York)
  • District 2 Director: Dan Pasternak, PGA general manager, Panther Valley Golf and Country Club, Allamuchy, N.J. (Metropolitan, New Jersey, Philadelphia)
  • District 5 Director: Chad Seymour, PGA head professional, Westfield Group Country Club, Westfield Center, Ohio (Michigan, Northern Ohio, Southern Ohio)
  • District 10 Director: Rick Murphy, Rick Murphy Golf & Practice Center, Greensboro, N.C. (Carolinas, Kentucky, Middle Atlantic)
  • District 13 Director: Jack Binswanger, owner/manager, Village Green Golf Club, Sarasota, Fla. (Georgia, North Florida, South Florida)
  • District 14 Director: Dan Hill, PGA Master Professional, Broadmoor Golf Club, Seattle, Wash. (Pacific Northwest, Southwest)

Bob Beach, PGA head professional at Braintree (Mass.) Municipal Golf Course, will receive the fifth annual Patriot Award, honoring a PGA Professional who personifies patriotism through the game of golf and demonstrates unwavering commitment and dedication to the industry.

The Tennessee PGA Section will be honored with the Herb Graffis Award for extraordinary and exemplary contributions in Player Development whether by conducting or supporting Play Golf America initiatives.

About The PGA of America
Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, The PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry. By creating and delivering world-class championships and innovative programs, The PGA of America elevates the public’s interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. As The PGA nears its centennial, the PGA brand represents the very best in golf.