PGA of America CEO announces surprise resignation after one year on job
Bruce Bennett
A little more than a year on the job, the PGA of America’s CEO has resigned.
In a surprise announcement Wednesday, Derek Sprague is stepping down as head of the organization, a move he says is due to the need to return to New York in support of his family. Sprague informed the PGA of America of his intentions in December.
“At my daughter’s wedding last month in upstate New York, it became clear that my family needs me nearby to assist with the care of my mother and mother‑in‑law,” Sprague said in a statement. “Focusing on family has become my priority, and the best decision for me is to step away from my role as CEO and return home to be with them.
“Serving as CEO of the PGA of America over the past year has been an incredible honor, and I will always be grateful for the trust placed in me by the Board and thank them for their understanding. I also want to thank our staff for their tireless dedication. Their passion and commitment inspire me, and I know the Association will continue to thrive as it carries forward the proud mission of serving our members and growing the game.”
Sprague was named CEO of the PGA of America in December 2024, taking over for Seth Waugh following the latter’s retirement. It was a notable appointment; Sprague became the first former PGA president to serve as CEO, and it ended a 20-year period without a PGA professional in the role. Sprague had spent 25 years at his hometown Malone Golf Club in New York and was named to the organization’s Hall of Fame in 2019. Among members and leadership, Sprague was well-respected and liked.
However, his past year was a turbulent one. He was adamantly against the proposed golf ball rollback from the USGA and R&A, leading to a strain of sorts between the PGA of America and golf’s other governing bodies. Additionally, Sprague oversaw a Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black last September, where the PGA of America drew criticism for its handling of crowd control as raucous galleries regularly hurled verbal abuse at the European team, particularly Rory McIlroy, creating an environment that Euro captain Luke Donald asserted “crossed a line.” Sprague eventually issued an apology to McIlroy.
“There's no place for that at the Ryder Cup, no place for it in the game of golf, and we are not happy with what happened last week,” Sprague said afterwards.
In a statement, the PGA of America said it will announce a new leader in the next month. The move creates more turnover among golf’s key stakeholders, as the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, R&A and LPGA all have leaders who are new on the job within the last two years.