Seth Waugh, one of the most respected and influential people in golf, announced Wednesday that he is resigning as chief executive officer of the PGA of America after six years in charge of the organization.
A former executive at Deutsche Bank, Waugh has played a central role in leading the game through COVID-19, helping bring together the leaders of the game’s most powerful organizations and nurturing the growth of golf in the aftermath of the pandemic.
Waugh, 65, who served three years as a board member for the PGA of America before becoming CEO in September 2018, intends to step away from the day-to-day demands of his job but hopes to remain involved in the game. His contract with the PGA of America expires June 30, and he will remain in an advisory role.
“After a lot of soul searching, I feel like it’s a good time for me to step off the carousel, not just personally but also professionally,” Waugh said. “We have done an awful lot as a team, and the game has never been in better shape at the recreational level, which is where we live. I’m pretty proud of that.”
In his time as the PGA’s CEO, Waugh has seen the organization which serves golf professionals grow to more than 30,000 members, increase its diversity, enhance pay and work/life balance for golf professionals, create a deferred-compensation package for members and lead the association’s move from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, to the PGA’s new home in Frisco, Texas.
During the COVID pandemic, Waugh took the lead in opening up golf to get people outside. He dealt directly with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its director, Dr. Anthony Fauci, as well as many of the game’s other leaders, triggering what became an unprecedented growth among recreational players.
According to Waugh, participation has increased approximately 40 percent since he became CEO, with the fastest rates of growth among women and people of color. Citing figures from the National Golf Foundation, Waugh said approximately 50 percent of golfers are 35 years old or younger.
“The game is starting to look more like the rest of the world,” Waugh said. “It’s the right thing, and if you’re not growing among females and people of color, then you really don’t have much growth.
“Seth is more than a talented, passionate leader. He is also a trusted friend.” – Mike Whan
“We’ve had this incredible sea of change in the game, and a lot of that has been intentional. We maneuvered COVID very well, and we became part of the solution rather than part of the problem.”
(In a 2022 interview with Global Golf Post’s John Steinbreder, Waugh talked about his leadership strategy. Last month, speaking with GGP’s Ron Green Jr. and other golf writers at the PGA Championship, Waugh addressed the challenges facing the modern game.)
As part of the reaction to the pandemic, Waugh played an integral role in finding a path forward for the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour, the USGA, the R&A, Augusta National and the PGA of America. Professional golf and NASCAR became the first sports to return to competition in mid-2020, and Waugh’s influence was substantial. The 2020 PGA Championship was the first major championship played without fans.
“Seth is more than a talented, passionate leader. He is also a trusted friend,” USGA CEO Mike Whan said. “I’ll miss his leadership, his mentorship and his perspective. As a sport and an industry, golf was lucky to have Seth commit so much of his time and efforts to making us better. He’ll be a tough act to follow, but the culture of commitment he has built will remain and serve as a lasting legacy.”
Waugh, a graduate from Amherst College in Massachusetts, served as CEO of the Americas for Deutsche Bank for 10 years. In that time, Waugh helped create the Deutsche Bank Championship, which was played outside Boston from 2003 through 2018 (known in the last two years as the Dell Technologies Championship).
A member of some of the game’s most prestigious clubs, Waugh used his position at the PGA of America to improve the profession which operates primarily at the game’s ground level.
Average pay, Waugh said, has climbed above $100,000 annually along with an emphasis on limiting the number of hours professionals work, particularly during busy seasons.
“On behalf of the more than 30,000 PGA of America golf professionals, we are grateful for Seth’s leadership and for all that he accomplished for our members, our game, the business and our people,” said PGA president John Lindert, the director of golf at The Country Club of Lansing in Michigan. “He skillfully led us through incredibly challenging times and was always a great partner. We are fortunate to be able to call on him going forward for his always helpful advice and counsel.”
In addition to adding major corporate partners including T-Mobile, Waugh has seen the PGA Championship thrive since moving to May from its former August date while the organization’s other major events continue to grow.
Since opening the $500 million public/private partnership that led to the creation of the PGA of America headquarters in Frisco nearly two years ago, Waugh has seen the facility – which includes two 18-hole courses, classroom facilities, office space, expansive teaching areas, a par-3 course and a putting green named “the Dance Floor” – grow into one of the game’s new gathering places.
Now, Waugh has decided that it’s time to turn the leadership position over to someone else and take some time for himself and his family, which includes his wife of six-plus years, Jane, and five children.
“It’s better than we ever imagined,” Waugh said. “On a big Friday night, we will rent out more than 200 putters for people to use. Talk about growing the game.
“Our brand has never been stronger.”
Now, Waugh has decided that it’s time to turn the leadership position over to someone else and take some time for himself and his family, which includes his wife of six-plus years, Jane, and five children.
“I’m going to take a little time and take stock,” Waugh said. “I’m going to try and have a summer with the kids and give Jane the honeymoon I always promised but never delivered.
“I’m going to have a great summer, I hope.”