How It All Began-The Professional Golfers’ Association of America

                                      




      Founded in 1916 the PGA has grown to become the world’s largest sports organization, and has extended membership to some of the best golfers in the world. Officially formed April 10, 1916 the founder suggested that an annual tournament be held with an offer to donate money for the trophy and prize and in October the first PGA Championship was held at Siwanoy Country Club in Bronxville, New York.

Lewis Rodman Wanamaker the founder of the PGA, in that same year served as a presidential elector. Over the years the membership of the PGA has grown, and it now has over 29,000 members. In 1968 was the birthing of the PGA Tour, and is one of four major golf tournaments. The Professional Golfers’Association of America is headquartered in Frisco, Texas after moving from Palm Beach, Florida. The PGA Tour is held all around North America (primarily The United States). The LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) is a separate organization, but both the PGA and the LPGA has joined forces and the PGA Tour and the LPGA has formed a partnership.

In 1920 the first issue of The Professional Golfers of America was published. Percy C Pulver a golf writer for the New York Evening Sun who also attended the first meeting in 1916 was named editor. In 1977 the publication was renamed PGA Magazine. Hagen and Sarazen would emerge as key figures in PGA of America history, with Hagen winning a total of five PGA Championships and Sarazen three, including the 1922 Championship at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club, becoming (still to this day) the youngest PGA Champion ever at age 20. They both would also become factors in the emergence of another PGA of America premier event, the Ryder Cup.

1927 saw the creation of the Ryder Cup, which was a match between teams of British and American players. The inaugural tournament was won by the Americans, who soon came to dominate it over the years. As the PGA began to organize more activities, its membership dues were raised, jumping from $5 to $50 by the end of the 1920s. In 1930, PGA headquarters were moved from New York to Chicago, and the organization hired a business administrator and legal advisor. The PGA also established its name as a legal trademark.

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