Seth Waugh resigns as CEO of the PGA of America
Seth Waugh announced that he will step down from the board of directors of the Professional Golf Association of America when his contract expires on June 30.
Waugh, the former CEO of Deutsche Bank Americas, joined the PGA of America as CEO in September 2018. His reign on the governing body has coincided with a tumultuous and upheaval-ridden period in the sport and in the country.
“I recently informed the board that I will not be renewing my contract, which expires on June 30, but I am honoured to continue to serve the association as a senior advisor,” Waugh said in a statement. “It has been a true honor and privilege to serve as CEO of the PGA of America for the past six years.”
Waugh, 66, was responsible for the PGA of America’s decision to move the 2022 PGA Championship from Donald Trump’s Bedminster (New Jersey) golf club after supporters of the president stormed the U.S. Capitol during a joint session of Congress on January 6, 2021, to formally certify President-elect Joe Biden’s election victory. In an interview with The Associated Press, Waugh said his organization was caught in a “political situation beyond our control.”
Waugh also played a role in postponing the 2020 Ryder Cup, held at Whistling Straits next fall amid the COVID-19 pandemic, so fans could safely watch the biennial U.S.-U.S.-Europe match. More recently, Waugh has been caught in the middle of a battle within the professional game between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. Waugh initially reported in 2021 that players who had defected to the Saudi-backed tour would likely be ineligible to play in the PGA Championship, and followed those comments later by calling the LIV proposal “flawed » and “not good for the game”.
However, no LIV players were ultimately banned from the 2023 or 2024 PGA Championships – with LIV captain Brooks Koepka having won the Wanamaker Trophy at Oak Hill – and last month at the PGA Championship, Waugh expressed his hope that the tour and LIV unite to bring an end. the schism.
“I hope there’s a deal,” Waugh told Valhalla. “I think both sides are not only eager to reach an agreement, but really need one. In my history of negotiating deals, when both sides need something to happen, it usually happens.” I don’t know the time. There is no insider information you do not have. But I hope there is an agreement over time.
V and PGA also participated in discussions linked to Golflor backs solved by USGA and R & A. –Valkhalla confirmed that its organization and its members were afraid that they had lost the urge to start the pandemic. “I think what we’re most afraid of is the growth part of the game: are we going to ruin it for the half or half of the one percent that exists there, and where do we draw the line? On what is elite and what is not. Is the club championship elite or not? – said Waugh. “I’m happy it’s one rule instead of two, and the game will be bigger than that,” Waugh added. “We can all talk about that, but I think the game will be better for recreation and better for the pros.”
On the business side of things for the PGA of America, the organization is relocating its headquarters to Frisco, Texas, with a new facility opening in the summer of 2022. The Frisco location, a 106,622 square foot multi-purpose campus on more than 600 acres of land, will also host a number of future PGA of America Championships, including two PGA Championships and likely the Ryder Cup.
It is unclear who will replace Waugh in the long term. The news appeared when Martin Slbibers, the director of R & A, was expected to resign at the end of the year.