store magnate Rodman Wanamaker helped
establish The Professional Golfers’
Association of America. Wanamaker, who
viewed the public’s growing enthusiasm for
golf as the beginning of a national trend,
promoted the idea of an association to help
accelerate the growth of the game. Little
did Wanamaker or his fellow founders
realize that they were laying the
groundwork for what would become the
world’s largest working sports organization.
The PGA’s mission since has been
twofold: to establish and elevate the
standards of the profession and to grow
interest and participation in the game of
golf. Now approaching the midway point in
its “Decade of Excellence” in countdown to
its Centennial celebration, The PGA and
its Professionals remain dedicated to that
mission as it applies to the modern golf
industry.
In 1916, the fledgling organization –
using 2,500 of Wanamaker’s money as a
purse, along with trophies and medals he
donated – held the first PGA
The PGA Championship was conducted in
match-play format through 1957. Dow
Finsterwald won the first stroke play
Championship at Llanerch Country Club in
Havertown, Pa.
PGA Championship factoid
Championship at Siwanoy Country Club in
Bronxville, N. Y. Played as a series of head-to-head matches – known as match play –
the event was won by Englishman Jim
Barnes. The PGA Championship was then
put on hold for two years by World War I,
but resumed in 1919 at Engineers Country
Club in Roslyn, N. Y., with Barnes again
emerging victorious to claim what was now
known as the Wanamaker Trophy, which is
still awarded to the winner to this day.
The PGA Championship continued to
be held as a match play event each year –
with the exception of 1943, when World
War II interrupted play – through 1957.
During the match play era, legends such as
Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, Paul Runyan,
Tommy Armour, Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan
Department store magnate
Rodman Wanamaker was
instrumental in the founding
of The PGA of America.
Play Golf America: Helping you get more golf into your life
The PGA of America was founded on a commitment to growing participation in the game of golf, and today its
28,000 men and women PGA
Professionals are the leaders in promoting
golf as a fun and rewarding activity. To
assist in this cause, Play Golf America was
launched in 2004 as an industry-wide
player development initiative that plays a
vital role in attracting new golfers to the
sport and compelling occasional golfers to
play more. Through PlayGolfAmerica.com
golfers can learn about fun and affordable
programs in their areas and get linked up
with local PGA and LPGA Professionals
who can get them started toward enjoying
the benefits of our great game – benefits
that include being outdoors, getting
exercise, spending time with family and
friends and more.
• American Express Women’s Golf
Month (June): A month-long
celebration of golf as a fun activity
and sport for women through special
events and playing opportunities
that make learning and playing golf
rewarding for golfers of all ages and
abilities.
complimentary green fees when
accompanied by a paying adult.
• Patriot Golf Day (Sept. 3-6): PGA
facilities nationwide lead a charitable
campaign to raise funds for the Folds
of Honor Foundation that provides
post-secondary educational
scholarships to children and spouses
of military service men and women
killed or disabled while on active duty.
In addition to the calendar promotions,
Play Golf America has expanded its
programs and services to promote junior
golf and nine-hole rates. In addition, the
following year-round programs are also
offered by PGA facilities and PGA
Professionals:
• PGA Free Lesson Month (May):
Allows golfers to improve their game
and become familiar with golf
instruction through free, 10-minute
lessons or family clinics conducted
by PGA and LPGA Professionals
nationwide.
Play Golf America national promotions
include monthly and year-round programs
that make it easy and fun for anyone to get
started in the game. These programs
include:
• PGA Play Golf America Days: Free
golf festivals that feature
complimentary instruction from
PGA Professionals, group clinics,
equipment demos, contests,
entertainment and fun.
• Get Golf Ready: Designed for new
golfers and those returning to the
sport to learn the basics of the game
in a fun and comfortable setting. It is
currently offered at more than 1,400
certified facilities.
• The PGA Family Course Program:
Beginner-friendly short courses,
created by placing special “Family
Tees” within existing regulation golf
courses, that allow parents and kids
of all abilities and ages to play golf
together in a fun environment.
THE PGA OF AMERICA
• PGA Free Fitting & Trade-Up Month
(April): Complimentary 15-minute
equipment fitting sessions with PGA
or LPGA Professionals to help ensure
that the equipment golfers currently
own or plan to buy is the right fit for
their game.
• American Express/PGA Friend of a
Cardmember: Allows golfers to
bring a friend at no additional cost
when booking and paying for a
lesson with a PGA Professional using
an American Express® Card.
Detailed information on these promotions
can be found at PlayGolfAmerica.com.
• Family Golf Month (July):
Participating facilities offer both
family clinics and golf play at
reduced “family rates,” to provide
structured-yet-casual opportunities
to learn and play the game together
and promote golf as a family
recreation activity.
• Take Your Daughter to the Course
Week (July 5-11): A component of
Family Golf Month in which golf
facilities across the country offer free
clinics for juniors, as well as
THE OFFICIAL PROGRAM OF THE 2010 PGA CHAMPIONSHIP 27
