Derek Sprague is retiring after a yr as CEO of the PGA of America and hopes to maneuver again to upstate New York to help his mom and mother-in-law, who want extra care.
Mr. Sprague shall be appointed CEO in January 2025, turning into the primary membership skilled to function CEO in 20 years and the primary former PGA president to function CEO. The PGA of America has roughly 30,000 skilled gamers and operates the Ryder Cup and the PGA Championship for males, ladies, and seniors in the USA.
He mentioned he’ll stay in an advisory function to make sure a easy transition as soon as the PGA of America finds a successor. Sprague knowledgeable the PGA Board of Governors in early December of his have to return to Malone, New York.
The PGA of America mentioned it plans to announce a brand new CEO within the coming weeks.
“At my daughter’s marriage ceremony in upstate New York final month, it grew to become clear to me that my household wanted me close by to assist look after my mom and mother-in-law,” Sprague mentioned in a press release. “Specializing in my household has develop into my prime precedence, and the very best choice for me is to step away from my function as CEO and return dwelling to spend time with my household.”
Sprague, who served as PGA chairman from 2014 to 2016, was chosen to exchange former Deutsche Financial institution Americas CEO Seth Waugh, who was introduced out of retirement in 2018.
Waugh had been grooming Craig Kessler, the PGA’s chief working officer, as a possible successor till the PGA Board of Administrators chosen a director. Kessler was appointed LPGA commissioner final summer time.
Mr. Sprague was the PGA govt who contacted Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy to apologize for the abuse he endured at Bethpage Black through the Ryder Cup. McIlroy’s spouse, Erica, beforehand labored for the PGA of America, and McIlroy mentioned Sprague “could not have been extra form” in what he described as a “beautiful letter.”
Throughout his yr as CEO of the USGA, he was additionally a staunch opponent of the R&A’s plan to decrease golf ball flight distances for elite competitors to 2028 and for all different opponents to 2030.
Sprague grew up in Malone and ran all points of the Malone Golf Membership, serving as common supervisor and director of golf. After serving as PGA president, he labored at Liberty Nationwide in New Jersey, host of the 2017 Presidents Cup, earlier than being named common supervisor of TPC Sawgrass and later being chosen as CEO of the PGA of America.
He was inducted into the PGA of America Corridor of Fame in 2019.
Sprague’s departure expands golf’s management turnover. Brian Rolup was appointed CEO of PGA Tour Enterprises in August. Kessler joined the LPGA in July. Mark Darbon has been CEO of the R&A for simply over a yr.
