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PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh is resigning

PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh is resigning

Seth Waugh, CEO of the PGA of America, will step down from his position effective Sunday.

Waugh released a statement Wednesday afternoon saying he would be leaving his position and remaining as Senior Advisor. He served on the PGA Board of Directors for three years before assuming the role of CEO.

The former CEO of Deutsche Bank took over the organization that serves 30,000 U.S. club professionals in September 2018. Waugh, 65, also served on the board of directors of the Official World Golf Ranking through his role as CEO.

The PGA of America also operates the PGA Championship and the just-completed KPMG Women’s PGA and shares ownership of the Ryder Cup with the DP World Tour, administering the event when played in the United States.

“The goal from the beginning was to leave the room better than we found it and I believe we did that together,” Waugh said in a statement. “Golf has never been younger or more reflective of the larger population. It has never been more progressive, more popular and cooler than it is now. I have often said that golf is one of the great engines of good on earth. I am perhaps the greatest beneficiary of all time of that asset and I want to thank the members, my colleagues, all the various board members, past presidents, our extraordinary partners, my colleagues at all the other golf organizations, as well as everyone who plays and loves our beautiful game for all the support and friendship during this journey. What a gift that has been. Thank you.”

PGA President John Lindert said in a news release that a national search for Waugh’s replacement is underway. Kerry Haigh, who has been with the PGA since 1989 and is Chief Championships Officer, will take on the role on an interim basis while a replacement is sought.

Waugh was involved in the PGA’s existing television rights deal and a major move from its old Florida office to Frisco, Texas.

One big move yet to be decided is who will be the 2025 US Ryder Cup captain. Waugh said at the PGA Championship last month and at the Memorial Tournament earlier this month that discussions were ongoing with Tiger Woods, who has delayed making a decision on the role.