Seth Waugh is stepping down as the CEO of the PGA of America, marking the end of his tenure on June 30, 2024.
Waugh announced his decision on Wednesday, stating he would not renew his contract and would instead transition into a senior advisory role within the organization.
Reflecting on his tenure, Waugh expressed pride in the achievements made under his leadership, emphasizing the significant impact on the organization’s 30,000 members and the game of golf itself.
“I am proud of all that we have accomplished for our more than 30,000 members and the game,” Waugh said. “I have enjoyed every moment serving alongside all of my colleagues, officers, board members, and dedicated members who love this game every day.”
Waugh’s leadership, which began in August 2018 after serving as an independent director on the PGA’s board for three years, saw several notable accomplishments.
He negotiated an 11-year media rights deal with CBS and ESPN, forged partnerships with Rolex and T-Mobile, and relocated the PGA headquarters to PGA Frisco. Waugh also introduced the first deferred compensation retirement plan for PGA members, spearheaded the $100 million PGA REACH Foundation campaign to promote inclusivity, and raised over $35 million for PGA Places to Play.
During the pandemic, Waugh played a crucial role in establishing an $8 million emergency relief fund and orchestrating the return of professional golf, including the 2020 PGA Championship, which was the first major contested post-shutdown.
PGA of America President John Lindert praised Waugh’s contributions, stating:
“On behalf of the more than 30,000 PGA of America golf professionals, we are grateful for Seth’s leadership and all that he accomplished for our members, our game, the business, and our people.”
As Waugh transitions into his new role, Kerry Haigh, the PGA’s chief championships officer, will serve as interim CEO while a national search for Waugh’s permanent replacement is conducted. However, Haigh is not being considered for the permanent position.
Reflecting on his decision, Waugh noted the timing was right for both personal and professional reasons.
“It’s a good time in my life to move on with my family. We have five children, and there’s definitely something to that. From the PGA of America’s perspective, I’m proud of where we are. We’ve come an enormously long way,” he said. “I always had this goal to leave this room a little better than we found it, and together with our folks, the board, and all 31,000 members, I feel like we’ve done that, and that the game’s in better shape.”
