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100th Anniversary of the PGAā€™s Founding
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Bunker shot
Bunker shot Golfer Steve Stricker playing a bunker shot at the PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club, Rochester, New York, August 10, 2013.

100th Anniversary of the PGAā€™s Founding

The Professional Golfersā€™ Association of America was created on April 10, 1916.
Written by
Amy Tikkanen
Amy Tikkanen is Managing Editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Amy Tikkanen
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The Professional Golfersā€™ Association of America (PGA of America, or more commonly just PGA) was the brainchild of department store owner Rodman Wanamaker, who believed that the creation of a golf organization would increase sales of the sportā€™s equipment. On January 17, 1916, in New York City he convened a number of golf enthusiasts to discuss creating such an association. An organizing committee was formed, and on April 10, 1916, the PGA was officially established, with 35 members. In October its first tournament was held, the PGA Championship. The winner was James M. Barnes, who received $500.

Over the next 100 years, the PGA developed into one of the worldā€™s largest and most important sports organizations. Backed by legendary playersā€”including Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woodsā€”the PGA helped transform golf into a premier sport. By 2016 the organization boasted some 28,000 members and sponsored more than 40 tournaments, including the PGA Championship, the winner of which is awarded some $1.8 million.

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