Three Takeaways from PGA of America Presser at Aronimink

With less than 24 hours until the first tee time at the season’s second men’s major, PGA of America brass took to the microphone stand for their annual PGA Championship press conference. As had been rumored, not all of the PGA of America leadership received a mic. Content king Don Rea Jr. was noticeably absent from the stage as he serves out the second year of his two-year term as PGA of America President behind the scenes. Instead, PGA CEO Terry Clark and Chief Championships Officer Kerry Haigh held court. 

From rollback to the Ryder Cup to whether or not you can expect a PGA Championship to travel internationally, here are three takeaways from Wednesday’s presser. 

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On the date and location of the PGA Championship

“I really think we've got a strong position in May,” Clark answered when asked if the championship has lost any of its identity since moving from August. “Certainly I'm always going to look at what could make us better, but not actively looking at should we look and move this to later or back to August.” 

Clark went on to cite scheduling considerations around the Olympics, which reintroduced golf in 2016, as an additional reason to keep the championship’s current date. “I like that we don't have to think about changes for the Olympic years,” he said. 

From an agronomy standpoint, Haigh acknowledged the challenges a May date presents, specifically that grasses in the Northeast don’t have much time to grow before the championship arrives. But he also cited milder temperatures and fewer storms as upsides to the May date, which improve the fan experience and reduce the chance of delays in play. 

All in all, it doesn’t sound like the PGA of America has much interest in moving its championship from its May date. “I don't see that as one I'm really pushing on a change right now,” Clark stated.  

In addition to date changes, Clark and Haigh were asked about another prevalent PGA Championship makeover idea: taking the championship outside of the United States.  

“I don't see that being a real focus as far as right now,” Clark answered. “It's not something that I really looked at and discussed. I think we have a great identity, and that identity tied to those venues here, we have plenty of opportunity to establish that identity in this country.”

For those who would like to see the PGA Championship date or U.S.-centric identity changed, not all hope should be lost. While Clark mostly shut down any short-term changes, he left the door open to re-evaluate the tournament in the future. 

“I never say never because we're always trying to improve what we do, but I wouldn't put that as high priority at this point.”

On whether the PGA of America is equipped to manage the Ryder Cup

“I feel really good about our position to strengthen the assets we have,” Clark opined. “I really believe that we have an opportunity to make them better…

“There are some areas of the Ryder Cup that are clear we've got to get better at…I feel very confident that the PGA of America has the ability to take these crown jewel assets, these really, really meaningful assets in the world of golf and continue to make them better. I would absolutely underline the Ryder Cup. It's one we're going to invest in.” 

Haigh followed up just a little bit, acknowledging the behavioral issues at Bethpage and offered assurance that the PGA of America has made changes to its protocols moving forward to address conduct concerns. 

Could the PGA of America eventually decide to sell or license the Ryder Cup? Sure, it’s a possibility, but nothing from Wednesday’s press conference suggested that offloading the Ryder Cup is a priority.

On the topic of an equipment rollback

“On the golf ball, we've been consistent with our feedback to the governing bodies,” Clark said in his opening statement. “We remain focused on advocating for the recreational golfer and avoiding any changes that could negatively impact their enjoyment of the game.” 

When pressed whether the rollback does, in fact, negatively impact the recreational game, Clark didn’t take a firm position. 

“We don't know that,” he said. “I think that's what we continue to look at. We continue to give feedback to the governing bodies and all the associations…But what I've been encouraged with is the governing bodies continue to take that feedback and hear what's most important.” 

He did, however, plainly state the PGA of America’s continued opposition to bifurcation. 

“One of those areas that governing bodies have really listened to: that we've said, if you need to do anything, we're not in favor of bifurcation,” Clark stated. 

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Overall, Clark’s commentary on the rollback issue is probably the most significant takeaway from this year’s press conference. While he did not come out in favor of a rollback and directly align the PGA of America with the other governing bodies — all of whom are pushing in unison for a rollback — he took a much different tone than his predecessor. 

“There's no change in our stance,” former CEO Derek Sprague said last year at Quail Hollow. “We're certainly vehemently against the ball rollback.”

Time will tell where Clark and the rest of the PGA of America ultimately land on golf’s most prescient governance issue. But regardless of Clark’s current or future stance on a ball rollback — or any other potential equipment regulations — he had a far less combative attitude than those who sat in his place 12 months ago, an encouraging sign that his tenure could foster more collaboration and unity among golf’s governing bodies than we’ve seen in recent years.