The PGA of America is shining a spotlight on Wisconsin this month, with the Ryder Cup scheduled Sept. 24-26 at Whistling Straits on the shore of Lake Michigan. It’s not a bad time to shine a light on the organization that operates the biennial matches, as well.
The PGA of America gains much attention for the Ryder Cup and its PGA Championship, but the heart of the organization is nearly 29,000 golf professionals who teach the game, operate courses, conduct thousands of local charitable and fundraising events each year, and basically make the game more inviting and fun for members of private clubs and public-access facilities.
Golfweek spoke with PGA president Jim Richerson, as well as Northern Ohio PGA Section president Steve Parker, to highlight their enthusiasm.
Richerson, the senior vice president of golf operations for course-management company Troon, was elected president of the PGA in 2020. His career included an 11-year stint at Destination Kohler, the resort that operates Whistling Straits. Parker is the director of golf operations at Portage Country Club in Akron, Ohio, and was for years employed at Firestone Country Club, longtime host of a PGA Tour event and three PGA Championships.
