Derek Sprague Named as PGA of America CEO

Derek Sprague has been selected as the next chief executive officer at the PGA of America, the first time a club professional has been chosen to lead the organization in nearly 20 years.

Sprague spent 25 years at his hometown Malone Golf Club in New York, also becomes the first chief executive officer to have served as PGA president. He most recently was general manager of the TPC Sawgrass. He was hired in 2018 after working at Liberty National in New Jersey, which hosted the Presidents Cup during his tenure.

“To now serve the Association as CEO is a tremendous honor.,” said Sprague, a PGA of America member since 1993. “It is my task, alongside the Officers and Board, to elevate the profession of our more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals while ensuring the health of the Association and its relationships within our industry.”

Sprague takes over for Seth Waugh, the former Deutsche Bank Americas chief executive officer who took over in 2018 until announcing his retirement earlier this year.

Sprague turned professional in 1989, beginning his career at Malone Golf Club. He was a member of the PGA Board of Directors from 2007-10, as well as a number of key committees. Sprague began his service to the PGA on the Northeastern New York PGA Board of Directors in 1998 and served as Section President from 2003-04.

“Derek is the consummate PGA of America Golf Professional,” said PGA of America President Don Rea Jr. “His dedication to the Association, his passion for empowering PGA of America Golf Professionals and his service as an Officer position him for success as CEO. To have a leader at the helm who knows every detail of the Association and what it means to be a PGA of America Member will enable our Association to succeed far into the future.”

Jim Awtrey was the first chief executive officer of the PGA of America in 1993. He left in 2005 and was succeeded by broadcast executive Joe Steranka. He was followed by Pete Bevacqua, a USGA business officer who now is athletic director at Notre Dame, then Waugh.