Seth Waugh is stepping down as CEO of the PGA of America after 6 years

Seth Waugh is leaving the PGA of America after six years as CEO, a period marked by significant growth in golf participation and PGA membership and the relocation of its headquarters from Florida to a larger facility in Texas.

Waugh was CEO of Deutsche Bank Americas when he joined the PGA of America board as an independent director and was hired to lead the 30,000-plus members in 2018.

His contract was up for renewal on June 30, and Waugh decided not to renew it.

“It feels like the right time, not only personally but professionally,” Waugh said. “We’ve achieved a lot in these six years. The game has never been in better shape. Participation is at a high level. It’s growing in every way we hoped it would.

“The fastest growing is women and people of color. We’re trying to make the game look more global, and maybe make the world behave like our game.”

Waugh will continue with the PGA of America in a senior advisory role. He will be at the Open Championship and the Paris Olympics and plans to compete in next year’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.

The PGA of America said it has begun a search for a CEO that includes candidates from inside and outside the organization. Kerry Haigh, the tournament’s chief executive and chief executive since 1989, will serve as interim CEO but will not stand for election.

“We appreciate Seth’s leadership and all he has done for our members, our game, our business and our people,” said PGA of America president John Lindert. “He has skillfully led us through some incredibly challenging times and has always been a great partner. We are fortunate to be able to call on him going forward for helpful advice and counsel.”

Waugh’s involvement in golf goes back much longer than the PGA of America. He was behind bringing the PGA Tour event to TPC Boston in 2003 — PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan was the first tournament director of the Deutsche Bank Championship — and has been an important voice in business and golf.

“Seth’s voice on important issues has been strong and impressive as the world of golf has gone through unprecedented changes during his time,” said Masters chairman Fred Ridley.

Among his main goals when he became CEO was to support the professionals who spend hours teaching the sport. That includes the PGA’s deferred retirement plan for American members.

“It’s the first time in 110 years that anyone has seen that. I borrowed from my background to help with that,” Waugh said. “But our membership satisfaction is at an all-time high.”

He said the average professional salary exceeded $100,000 for the first time, and membership exceeded $30,000, which is another trend.

Waugh has been dropping hints since April that he is nearing the end. He signed up for a four-year term as CEO — he compared four years to college or a presidential term — and realized it would be enough time to make changes. He agreed to another two years in 2022 after golf weathered the COVID-19 pandemic with participation spikes.

Of particular note to Waugh was the age of those playing.

“We’re not saying we won by any means, but the big numbers are that 48% of all golfers are under the age of 35,” Waugh said. “That’s generational growth, people from 25 playing until they’re 75, as opposed to playing from 65 to 75.

“You see that this generation wants to do things with a purpose, and golf has a purpose. You’re a teacher, a coach, and you have a job to make lives better. The reason I took this job was I felt you never had the opportunity to have a big impact on so many lives.”

He had no immediate plans after his board duties at the Olympics.

“I’ve always said that golf is one of the best engines in the world,” Waugh said. “I am probably the biggest benefactor ever to benefit from that good and I want to thank the membership, my partners, all the different board members, past presidents, extraordinary partners, my peers in all other golf associations, and everyone who plays and loves our beautiful game for all their support and friendship during this journey.

“What a gift that is.”