Golf news: PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague steps down to care for family
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PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague is stepping down after a year to support his mother and mother-in-law.
Sprague said she realized she needed to spend more time at home after her daughter’s wedding.
“At my daughter’s wedding in upstate New York last month, it became clear that my family needed me nearby to help care for my mother and mother-in-law,” Sprague said in a statement. “Focusing on my family has become my priority, and the best decision for me is to step away from my role as CEO and return home to be with them.”
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Derek Sprague, former president of the PGA of America, announced the first hole during the morning foursomes for the 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits. The event took place on September 24, 2021 in Kohler, Wisconsin. (Montana Pritchard/PGA of America)
Sprague took over in January 2025, becoming the first club professional in 20 years and the first PGA president to be appointed to the role. In early December, he informed the PGA of America board of directors that he had to go home to Malone, New York, and said he would remain in an advisory role until his successor was found.
Sprague, who served as PGA president from 2014-16, was named CEO to replace former Deutsche Bank of America CEO Seth Waugh, who retired in 2018.
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PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague speaks to the media ahead of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club. The event took place on May 13, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Waugh had been grooming the PGA’s chief operating officer, Craig Kessler, as a potential replacement, but chose one of the PGA board members. Kessler was appointed LPGA commissioner last summer.
Sprague’s resignation adds to turnover in golf’s executive leadership. Brian Rolapp took over as CEO of PGA Tour Enterprises in August; Kessler joined the LPGA in July; and Mark Darbon have been on the job as R&D CEO for just over a year.
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PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague attends a press conference next to the Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course in Farmingdale, New York on September 17, 2025. The 2028 KPMG Women’s PGA and 2033 PGA Championship tournaments will be played on the course. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Sprague was the PGA of America executive who reached out to Rory McIlroy about the verbal abuse he and his wife were subjected to at Bethpage Black during the Ryder Cup. McIlroy’s wife, Erica, previously worked for the PGA of America, and McIlroy said he “couldn’t have been nicer” in what Sprague described as a “beautiful letter”.
He was inducted into the PGA of America Hall of Fame in 2019.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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