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The PGA of America is focused on the game beyond Tour-level golf, but on the 31,000 golf professionals who are its members.
Much like the postman, who is focused on delivering the mail, the PGA professional is a hardworking individual who supports the game at the grassroots level and manages the business of the golf course and shop.
As you listen to President Don Rea and CEO of the PGA of America, Derek Sprague, membership in the PGA of America is almost like a religious calling.
However, on Tuesday, when both Rea and Sprague appeared before the media, it became apparent that the PGA of America, as an organization, has a selective approach to addressing some issues at the grassroots level, or, as some would say, a halfhearted stance.
A PGA of America flag during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament at Valhalla Golf Club. Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
With most equipment for the game, including clubheads, golf bags, golf apparel, and golf towels, being manufactured primarily in Asia, where Trump tariffs vary depending on whether it's China or Vietnam, it's logical that the PGA would take a stance for the benefit of its members.
Instead, they chose to duck the issue entirely when asked about their position on the tax on consumers.
“I'd say we have no official stance on tariffs, but we did hear that loudly and clearly at the Masters,” Sprague said of tariff issue. “That's when sort of all of the news broke, and a lot of the manufacturers were coming up to us and saying that's going to impact the consumers because, one, there may be supply chain issues, there's going to be increase in costs and whatnot.”
Rea took the unusual position of stating that, although many of their golf professionals own their shops, the PGA does not get involved in legislation.
Tariffs are not legislation, but rather a tax imposed on imports by the executive branch, specifically the president.
Now, for the PGA of America to suggest they are not involved in the legislative process, they would then need to explain their participation in National Golf Day, where many in the golf industry are engaged in a major lobbying effort, as the industry met with legislative leaders to pitch golf and its benefits.
Team USA captain Davis Love III is presented the Ryder Cup by PGA of America president Derek Sprague during the closing ceremonies after the singles matches in the 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Rob Schumacher-Imagn Images
The PGA of America also has a representative on the Executive Leadership Committee of the American Industry Golf Coalition, which is responsible for organizing National Golf Day. This event, now in its 17th annual visit to the Hill, took place in late April.
Instead of having a position on tariffs for its members, Rea took the unusual step of suggesting that the best answer is to pivot.
“We just pivot and make the best of it,” Rea said of tariffs. “That's what PGA professionals have been doing for a hundred years.”
So, leave it up to happenstance that the 31,000 PGA professionals and 28 million golfers will pivot and make a tariff of between ten and 30 percent work for them.
At the same time, the PGA hierarchy was stumbling through the tariff answer; they were on their hind legs, chomping at the bit to explain their view on the equipment rollback.
The PGA of America is vehemently opposed to the idea of a rollback proposal floated by the R&A and USGA, which would effectively reduce the ball's distance by roughly ten percent.
The PGA Tour is against any rollback, and the PGA of America is in lockstep with the Tour.
“We're really concerned about the 28 million golfers in this country, and since I took that stance back in January, a number of people have reached out, a number of amateur golfers, recreational golfers have reached out and have the same concerns that we do,” Sprague said. “They're thanking us for pushing this issue to make sure it's well thought out, and if we can hit the pause button or change it altogether, that's our goal.”
To understand this clearly, push back on the R&A and USGA regarding an equipment rollback as an imperative to support the 28 million golfers in the U.S. However, does the concern for members and golfers end at the doorstep of tariffs?
The best efforts toward tariffs instead come in the form of phone calls by the PGA to effectively commiserate with manufacturers but not to lobby.
“You might not see it in a press release, but we call Titleist, we call TaylorMade, we call Acushnet and Srixon, we call them all and say how you are doing and what's this impact going to be on our golf professionals?” Rea said. “What can we do to help? That's what we've always been about.”
Yet, when asked about what assistance the PGA could provide, the answer was sophomoric at best.
“I think educating our golf professionals, which we do on a daily basis, talking to the manufacturers, after that, we have to encourage them to state their case,” Rea said.
So, in one scenario, the ball rollback, the PGA is willing to state their case, but in regard to tariffs, they ask others to do the heavy lifting.
As golfers spend more money on their golf shirts and golf professionals lose sales due to increased costs on their products, remember the assistance the PGA of America provided to address tariffs.
Nothing.
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Much like the postman, who is focused on delivering the mail, the PGA professional is a hardworking individual who supports the game at the grassroots level and manages the business of the golf course and shop.
As you listen to President Don Rea and CEO of the PGA of America, Derek Sprague, membership in the PGA of America is almost like a religious calling.
However, on Tuesday, when both Rea and Sprague appeared before the media, it became apparent that the PGA of America, as an organization, has a selective approach to addressing some issues at the grassroots level, or, as some would say, a halfhearted stance.
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A PGA of America flag during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament at Valhalla Golf Club. Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
With most equipment for the game, including clubheads, golf bags, golf apparel, and golf towels, being manufactured primarily in Asia, where Trump tariffs vary depending on whether it's China or Vietnam, it's logical that the PGA would take a stance for the benefit of its members.
Instead, they chose to duck the issue entirely when asked about their position on the tax on consumers.
“I'd say we have no official stance on tariffs, but we did hear that loudly and clearly at the Masters,” Sprague said of tariff issue. “That's when sort of all of the news broke, and a lot of the manufacturers were coming up to us and saying that's going to impact the consumers because, one, there may be supply chain issues, there's going to be increase in costs and whatnot.”
Rea took the unusual position of stating that, although many of their golf professionals own their shops, the PGA does not get involved in legislation.
Tariffs are not legislation, but rather a tax imposed on imports by the executive branch, specifically the president.
Now, for the PGA of America to suggest they are not involved in the legislative process, they would then need to explain their participation in National Golf Day, where many in the golf industry are engaged in a major lobbying effort, as the industry met with legislative leaders to pitch golf and its benefits.
You must be registered for see images attach
Team USA captain Davis Love III is presented the Ryder Cup by PGA of America president Derek Sprague during the closing ceremonies after the singles matches in the 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Rob Schumacher-Imagn Images
The PGA of America also has a representative on the Executive Leadership Committee of the American Industry Golf Coalition, which is responsible for organizing National Golf Day. This event, now in its 17th annual visit to the Hill, took place in late April.
Instead of having a position on tariffs for its members, Rea took the unusual step of suggesting that the best answer is to pivot.
“We just pivot and make the best of it,” Rea said of tariffs. “That's what PGA professionals have been doing for a hundred years.”
So, leave it up to happenstance that the 31,000 PGA professionals and 28 million golfers will pivot and make a tariff of between ten and 30 percent work for them.
At the same time, the PGA hierarchy was stumbling through the tariff answer; they were on their hind legs, chomping at the bit to explain their view on the equipment rollback.
The PGA of America is vehemently opposed to the idea of a rollback proposal floated by the R&A and USGA, which would effectively reduce the ball's distance by roughly ten percent.
The PGA Tour is against any rollback, and the PGA of America is in lockstep with the Tour.
“We're really concerned about the 28 million golfers in this country, and since I took that stance back in January, a number of people have reached out, a number of amateur golfers, recreational golfers have reached out and have the same concerns that we do,” Sprague said. “They're thanking us for pushing this issue to make sure it's well thought out, and if we can hit the pause button or change it altogether, that's our goal.”
To understand this clearly, push back on the R&A and USGA regarding an equipment rollback as an imperative to support the 28 million golfers in the U.S. However, does the concern for members and golfers end at the doorstep of tariffs?
The best efforts toward tariffs instead come in the form of phone calls by the PGA to effectively commiserate with manufacturers but not to lobby.
“You might not see it in a press release, but we call Titleist, we call TaylorMade, we call Acushnet and Srixon, we call them all and say how you are doing and what's this impact going to be on our golf professionals?” Rea said. “What can we do to help? That's what we've always been about.”
Yet, when asked about what assistance the PGA could provide, the answer was sophomoric at best.
“I think educating our golf professionals, which we do on a daily basis, talking to the manufacturers, after that, we have to encourage them to state their case,” Rea said.
So, in one scenario, the ball rollback, the PGA is willing to state their case, but in regard to tariffs, they ask others to do the heavy lifting.
As golfers spend more money on their golf shirts and golf professionals lose sales due to increased costs on their products, remember the assistance the PGA of America provided to address tariffs.
Nothing.
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