ORLANDO, Fla. – The PGA of America lifted the curtain on its new logo and brand strategy before more than 800 delegates and other industry leaders assembled for The PGA’s 91st Annual Meeting, Jan. 15-16, the first to be held in conjunction with the PGA Merchandise Show.
The rollout of the new logo was the first change since 1990 to the traditional seal of the world’s largest working sports organization, and was the lead agenda item for a meeting which carried the theme, "A Generation of Leadership," a celebration of PGA Professionals from PGA Past President Horton Smith (the first Masters Champion in 1934) to 2007 PGA Golf Professional of the Year Brent Krause.
PGA of America Chief Executive Officer Joe Steranka said the new logo symbolizes that the PGA Professional is "the gold standard, the very best in golf.
"Our new brand strategy uniquely positions PGA Professionals as the experts in the game and business of golf," said Steranka. "Through our strategic alliances, including the relationships we have developed with our corporate partners, we are able to create a greater awareness than ever before of the skills of PGA Professionals to a consumer audience."
The new PGA logo was the breakout of solid gold letters "PGA" to the right of the seal, which clarifies the responsibilities of the world’s largest working sports organization and sets it apart from other organizing bodies within the industry. The color, typeface and graphic elements were updated, but the core design that has existed since the Association’s founding in 1916 remained the same.
The Annual Meeting also featured the introduction of eight new members of the PGA Board of Directors:
. District 1 Director – Derek Sprague, Malone (N.Y.) Golf Club
. District 2 Director – Rod Loesch, Connecticut Golf Club, Easton, Conn.
. District 5 Director – David Mocini, True North Golf Club, Saugatuck, Mich.
. District 10 Director – Mike Thomas, Harmony Landing Country Club, Goshen, Ky.
. District 13 Director – Ray Cutright, Idle Hour Golf Club, Macon, Ga.
. District 15 Director – Roger Wallace, Polson Bay Golf Course, Polson, Mont.
. Independent Director – Junior Bridgeman, Bridgeman Foods Inc., Louisville, Ky.
. Player Director – PGA Tour Professional Brad Faxon, Barrington, R.I.
Faxon, who was introduced to the delegates by PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem, recalled his PGA of America roots – which began as a teenage caddie at The Rhode Island Country Club. He received his first formal golf lesson from PGA Professional Fred Bruno.
"The PGA Professionals whom I met growing up were the backbone of my career," said Faxon, a two-time Ryder Cup Team member. "I’m proud to say that I have played in 20 PGA Championships and two Ryder Cups. The PGA of America means so much to me."
PGA Professional and Oklahoma Air National Guard Capt. Dan Rooney of Broken Arrow, Okla., delivered a moving address to the delegates that outlined his motivation for having created a national fundraiser – Patriot Golf Day – which resulted in more than 3,200 golf facilities raising more than $1.1 million to aid the families of veterans who were either injured or perished in the line of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan. The second Patriot Golf Day will be conducted, May 23-26, over the Memorial Day weekend.
Rooney said that while there have been 4,669 who has lost their lives in the line of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan, there are more than 40,000 families are coping with injury to a family member from those conflicts.
"I’m a small-town guy from Oklahoma who had an idea that could be embraced," said Rooney. "There are two things that we can be proud of, and that we are blessed to be members of The PGA of America and that we are Americans who owe a debt to these families."
Rooney said his motivation came from having returned home on a flight from Chicago to Grand Rapids, Mich., United Flight 664, where he was a passenger. Seated in first class on that plane was Brad Bucklin, the brother of a fallen veteran, Brock Bucklin, who had traveled the 6,000 miles back home. Brock’s remains were in a coffin in the cargo hold of the plane.
"The pilot came on the loudspeaker and said as the plane arrived at the airport that we were honored to be on the same flight as a hero," said Rooney. "The pilot asked that all passengers remain in their seats as ‘we honor the remains of a hero.’ "
Rooney then paused, his voice breaking slightly, "I’ve never said this before, but half of the people in their seats got off the plane. I ask that you go to your fellow PGA members and join the half that stayed on that airplane."
Through one of the video presentations at the PGA Annual Meeting, The PGA of America also honored the work and the contributions of PGA Professional Jim Estes of Olney Park, Md., who has focused his teaching career to the disabled U.S. veterans.
Delegates did not approve a Resolution from the Northern Texas PGA Section that would have required that PGA apprentices enter the PGA/Professional Golf Management Program under the supervision of a PGA member at a "PGA-Recognized Golf Course," "PGA-Recognized Golf Range," or a "PGA-Recognized Golf School."
Since 1916, The PGA of America’s mission has been twofold; to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.
By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the $195 billion golf industry.
By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public’s interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.
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The PGA of America, 100 Avenue of the Champions, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
Contact:
Jamie Carbone
561/624-8446
jcarbone@pgahq.com
