PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague is stepping down from his role after one year at the PGA of America announced on Wednesday.
According to the release, Sprague will return to New York to support his family and help care for his mother and mother-in-law.
“At my daughter’s wedding last month in upstate New York, it became clear that my family needs me around to help care for my mother and mother-in-law,” Sprague said in the release. “Focusing on family has become my priority, and the best decision for me is to step down from my role as CEO and return home to be with them.
“Serving as CEO of the PGA of America this past year has been an incredible honor, and I will always be grateful for the confidence the Board of Directors has placed in me and thank them for their understanding,” he continued. “I would also like to thank our employees for their tireless dedication. Their passion and dedication inspire me, and I know the association will continue to thrive as it continues the proud mission of serving our members and growing the game.”
Sprague told the PGA of America board of directors about his decision in early December.
Sprague was named CEO in December 2024 after more than a decade in various leadership roles, including president of PGA of America from 2014 to 2016 and general manager of TPC Sawgrass, home of the Players Championship, from 2017 to 2024. He also served as GM at Liberty National, and before that was GM and director of golf at Malone Golf Club in his hometown of Malone, NY for more than 25 years.
Perhaps the biggest undertaking – and moneymaker – for anyone in the position of PGA CEO is the Ryder Cup, and the 2025 edition at Bethpage Black made headlines not just for the European road victory, but also for a few less savory reasons, including higher ticket prices and the home crowd’s treatment of European players, most notably Rory McIlroy.
Sprague said The Athletics he sent a long email to McIlroy and his wife, Erica, telling them “we will do better in the future.”
“I’m the CEO now – I don’t condone this kind of behavior,” Sprague said The Athletics. “It’s not good for golf. It’s not good for the Ryder Cup. It’s not good for any professional athlete, and we will do better.”
The PGA of America said it expects to appoint a new CEO in the coming weeks.
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