North Carolina-based PGA professional seeking officer’s role within PGA leadership
December 16, 2015 (Greensboro, NC) – Rick Murphy, a North Carolina-based PGA Golf Professional, announced today his candidacy for Secretary of the PGA of America. Murphy, who has worked within the golf industry in a variety of roles and capacities for 30+ years, is a long-standing recognized leader within the Association. As the owner of the Rick Murphy Golf Academy & Practice Center and the Rick Murphy Golf Academy at Greensboro National Golf Club, and a current Director on the PGA Board of Directors, Murphy brings an extraordinary amount of experience and expertise as a result of his 360 degree background in golf operations, teaching, playing and a long history of service to the PGA of America.
“In his current service role on the PGA National Board, I have witnessed Rick’s exceptional leadership skills and his remarkable consensus-building abilities, become significant assets to the Association. As a man whose life is rooted in integrity, he stays true to his principles and values. After years within the game, he remains a humble and passionate PGA Professional with boundless energy and an undying desire to make a difference in the lives of those he touches. I enthusiastically support his desire to continue to serve at the highest level as our next Secretary of the PGA of America and I am committed to helping him achieve this noble aspiration,” said Ed Ibarguen, PGA Master Professional, Duke University Golf Club General Manager & PGA Director of Golf, and a Golf Digest Top 100 Teacher.
Murphy’s campaign is built around the ideal of Honoring Golf’s Past by Building Its Future. “I truly believe my background and experience will allow me to make significant contributions toward ensuring the overall well-being of the Association. Our objectives of growing the game, serving our 28,000+ Members, and supporting our 41 Sections, will be possible by respecting the game’s traditions while also finding ways to make the game more enjoyable and relevant to today’s golfer, inclusive of diverse audiences, and fun and engaging for our youth, as well as future generations,” said Murphy.
Murphy’s passion for golf began when he was a 9-year old living in Wake Forest, North Carolina. His unwavering drive to be the best golfer he possibly could, resulted with Murphy becoming a standout on his high school team. His winning record landed Murphy a golf scholarship at North Carolina State University where he graduated with a degree in Business Management.
Murphy’s career experience spans a wide spectrum of responsibilities and roles including working in public, private, and resort golf settings, developing and managing golf instructional programs for both adults and juniors, and his current role as the owner of a successful golf business. Murphy also has international experience having worked in Bogota, Colombia at the Country Club of Bogota where he successfully developed golf instruction programming, grew a youth golf program to significant participation, and was responsible for mentoring and overseeing a full staff of PGA Teaching Professionals.
In addition to the many operations and management responsibilities required of a PGA Professional, Murphy believes that each Member has a responsibility to maintain a credible game of golf as well. “As ambassadors and role models of the game, I feel it is critical that we maintain a high-level of skill in actually playing the game,” said Murphy. With an active playing history, Murphy continues to play tournament golf within his Section and participates in various PGA of America events. His most recent wins include two Carolinas PGA Senior championships where he shot a total of 4 under par in each of the two 36-hole events. He has also competed on an international basis in England, Scotland, and Colombia, S.A.
Murphy’s past awards and recognition includes two-time Carolinas PGA Teacher of the Year, recipient of the PGA Youth Player Development National Award, and recognition as the Carolinas PGA Golf Professional of the Year. Murphy holds the unique distinction of giving the world’s largest simultaneous golf lesson with more than 7,500 participants. He also has appeared twice on the Golf Channel’s “The Fix” with Michael Breed, PGA.
Additional information can be secured by visiting http://rickmurphyforpgasecretary.com/ or by calling 336.605.0052.
Contact:
Rhonda Moret
602.363.1286
