“Our finances are good” – PGA of America’s exiting CEO Seth Waugh details his plans for the circuit as he starts new advisory role

2023 PGA Championship – Preview Day Two

2023 PGA Championship – Preview Day Two (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

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Chief Executive Officer of the PGA of America Seth Waugh has decided to step down from his role after six years of service. Waugh joined the PGA of America in 2018 for four years before receiving a two-year extension in 2022.

During Waugh’s tenure, prticipation in golf increased, and PGA membership saw an upsurge. Also, the golf organization’s headquarters moved to Texas from Florida. Also, the average salary on the Tour exceeded $100,000. In 2018, Waugh was the CEO of Deutsche Bank Americas when he joined the organization.

Seth Waugh will continue to work with PGA of America, taking on a senior advisory role. In a recent interview, Waugh detailed his plans for the circuit as he will start a new advisory role. He said (via Golf Channel):

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“We have a great management team. Our finances are good. I think our brands at kind of an all-time high we’ve brought on incredible Partners including T-Mobile this year which is probably our highlight partner.”
And so helping to manage continue to help with those relationships is something that is really important to the association and frankly important to me. These people are my friends and I want to make sure that we’re serving them as well as we should. And it’ll be on call as opposed to me trying to intercede on anything.”
PGA of America has said that it has started to look for a new CEO and candidates within and outside the organization will be considered. Meanwhile, Chief Championships Officer Kerry Haigh will serve as the interim CEO of the organization.

Seth Waugh said he was “honored” to be asked for the senior advisory role
The CEO of the PGA of America, Seth Waugh, in an interview with Golf Channel, further talked about his love for the game. He was an important figure who brought PGA Tour event for the TPC Boston in 2003. He said (via Golf Channel):

“I think I’m very flattered and honored to be asked to do it. I said to the our team earlier there’s no expiration date on love of the game, passion for the game, passion for our members, passion for the PGA of America. And therefore I’m going to make myself available.”
Seth Waugh’s contract will expire on June 30 and he has opted not to renew it. He said that it’s important to step aside after one’s run is over and he won’t be managing anything thereafter. However, he said he would be available for any assistance needed on the Tour. He further said:

“And I think there’s the Ryder Cup comes to mind it’s in our backyard of Beth page and so I want to be helpful there if I can be. Obviously there’s things going on in the professional game that are a bit messy and if anybody needs my sort of advice or help on that I’d certainly jump in.”
Seth Waugh further talked about how the average age of players in golf has gone down. He said that 48% of the golfers were under the age of 35. He also noted that people were starting to play golf at the age of 25 in contrast to earlier when they began at 65.

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