Sprague took over in January 2025, the first club professional in 20 years to become CEO and the first former PGA president to be appointed to the role. The PGA of America has approximately 30,000 professionals and administers the Ryder Cup in America and the PGA Championship for men, women and seniors.
He said he would continue in an advisory role to ensure a smooth transition when the PGA of America finds his successor. Sprague had notified the PGA of America board in early December of his need to return home to Malone, New York.
The PGA of America said it expects to announce a new CEO in the coming weeks.
“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 a statement. “Focusing on my 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.”
Sprague, who served as president of the PGA from 2014 to 2016, was selected as CEO to replace Seth Waugh, the former CEO of Deutsche Bank Americas who was lured into retirement in 2018.
Waugh had groomed Craig Kessler, the PGA’s chief operating officer, as a potential replacement until the PGA board chose one of its members. Kessler was appointed LPGA commissioner last summer.
Sprague was the PGA of America manager who contacted Rory McIlroy to apologize for the verbal abuse the Northern Irishman endured at Bethpage Black during the Ryder Cup. McIlroy’s wife, Erica, previously worked at the PGA of America and McIlroy said Sprague “couldn’t have been more gracious” in what he described as a “beautiful letter.”
He was also a staunch opponent during his year as CEO of the USGA and R&A’s plan to roll back golf ball spacing for elite competition by 2028 and all others by 2030.
Sprague grew up in Malone and led every aspect of the Malone Golf Club, serving as general manager and director of golf. Following his stint as PGA president, he worked at Liberty National in New Jersey, which hosted the 2017 Presidents Cup, and was then named general manager of the TPC Sawgrass before being elected CEO of the PGA of America.
He was inducted into the PGA of America Hall of Fame in 2019.
Sprague’s resignation increases turnover in golf’s executive leadership. Brian Rolapp took over as CEO of the PGA Tour Enterprises in August; Kessler joined the LPGA in July; and Mark Darbon is just over a year into his role as CEO of the R&A.
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