PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague is stepping down after a year on the job, PGA of America announced Wednesday.
According to the release, Sprague will return to New York to support his family and help care for his mother and mother-in-law.
“At my daughter’s wedding last month in upstate New York, it became clear that my family needs me around to help care for my mother and mother-in-law,” Sprague said in the release. “Focusing on my family has become my priority and the best decision for me is to step down from my role as CEO and come home to be with them.
“Serving as CEO of the PGA of America over the past year has been a tremendous honor, and I will always be grateful for the confidence placed in me by the Board and thank them for their understanding,” he continued. “I also want to thank our staff for their tireless dedication. Their passion and commitment inspires me and I know the Association will continue to thrive as it carries out the proud mission of serving our members and growing the game.”
Sprague told the PGA of America Board of Directors of his decision in early December.
Sprague was named CEO in December 2024 after spending more than a decade in various leadership roles, including president of the PGA of America from 2014 to 2016 and general manager of TPC Sawgrass, home of The Players Championship, from 2017 to 2024. He was also GM at Liberty National, and for more than 2 years a director at GM Golf Club in his hometown of Malone, NY
Perhaps the biggest undertaking — and moneymaker — for anyone in the position of PGA CEO is the Ryder Cup, and the 2025 edition at Bethpage Black made headlines not just for Europe’s road win, but for a number of less pleasant reasons, including inflated ticket prices and the treatment of European players by the home crowd, particularly Rory McIlroy.
Sprague said Athletics he sent a lengthy email to McIlroy and his wife, Erica, and told them “we’ll do better in the future.”
“I’m the CEO now — I don’t condone this kind of behavior,” Sprague said Athletics. “It’s not good for the game of golf. It’s not good for the Ryder Cup. It’s not good for any of the professional athletes, and we’re going to do better.”
The PGA of America said it expects to name a new CEO in the coming weeks.
