Seth Waugh, the CEO of the PGA of America, has announced his decision to step down from his position after serving as the head of one of the biggest organizations in golf for six years. Waugh is not renewing his contract, which is set to end on June 30. Kerry Haigh, the chief championships officer, will serve as the interim CEO while the search for Waugh’s permanent replacement is already underway. Waugh expressed his pride in the accomplishments made for over 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals and the game as a whole during his time as CEO.
Under Waugh’s leadership, significant changes were made within the PGA of America, including moving the PGA Championship from August to May to accommodate the PGA Tour’s end-of-season playoffs. Additionally, Waugh played a crucial role in getting professional golf’s schedule back up and running during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the PGA Championship being the first major event conducted in 2020 after numerous postponements and cancellations.
Waugh’s departure comes amidst a period of change in the top leadership of pro golf, with Keith Pelley stepping down as DP World Tour CEO and Martin Slumbers announcing his retirement from the R&A. Throughout these changes, Waugh maintained a strong relationship with the PGA Tour and its leader, Jay Monahan, despite criticisms of the LIV Golf league structure. The next Ryder Cup, owned and operated predominantly by the PGA of America, is set to take place in 15 months at Bethpage Black outside New York City, and Waugh had been in discussions with Tiger Woods about the U.S. captaincy role.
The 2023 Ryder Cup, won by Team Europe, was marred by controversy surrounding player compensation and reports of Patrick Cantlay not wearing a hat as a protest. Despite this, the forthcoming U.S.-based Ryder Cup is expected to be a significant financial success for the PGA of America, given its close proximity to a major economic hub. As the organization is behind in naming a U.S. captain for the event, the departure of Waugh comes at a critical time for the PGA of America as they prepare for this major event.
Waugh’s decision to step down as CEO of the PGA of America marks the end of his impactful tenure at the organization. His leadership saw crucial changes, such as adjusting the schedule of the PGA Championship and navigating the challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. While the search for his replacement is currently ongoing, his departure comes during a period of transition in the top leadership of pro golf, highlighting the need for strong leadership as the sport continues to evolve.
