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PGA of America Affirms Inclusion Statement During 106th Annual Meeting
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PGA of America President John Lindert during the 106th PGA Annual Meeting at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa on Thursday, November 3, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/PGA of America)
Golf has long struggled with issues of equality, inclusion, and diversity in its past. In the 1950s, the PGA Tour had a “caucasian-only clause” for their players. From 1934-1961, a caucasian-only clause was part of the PGA of America’s by-laws preventing people of color from membership. Up until 1977, women were not able to apply for membership within the PGA of America.
In 2014, the PGA of America’s leadership positioned inclusion and diversity as foundational principles in our Long-Term Strategic Plan, recognizing that we will be defined by how our commitment to inclusion and diversity resonates throughout the Association, our programs, and practices.
An attendee speaks to the Diversity and Inclusion Breakout during the 106th PGA Annual Meeting at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/PGA of America)
Two years ago, the PGA of America Membership Committee along with the PGA Board of Directors worked on creating a formal Inclusion Statement for the Association that would live in our Bylaws.
“The Association affirms its love for golf by promoting the game and inviting everyone, embracing all dimensions of diversity. This includes individuals with diversity of thought, culture, race and ethnic background, gender, age, religion, politics, sexual orientation, physical abilities, natural origin, and other differences.”
A straw poll vote was taken from the delegation following the statement being presented. The resolution for the Inclusion Statement, initially, did not receive 100 percent support.
Over 30 PGA of America members, directors, and chief executives from various dimensions of diversity stepped up to the microphone during the discussion in their support of the Inclusion Statement.
Members of the PGA LEAD class voiced their support for the resolution, many sharing their personal stories. PGA LEAD identifies, mentors and progresses PGA Members from diverse backgrounds along a guided path to volunteer leadership roles at the Chapter, Section and National levels of the Association.
Members of the PGA LEAD class voiced their support for the resolution, many sharing their personal stories. PGA LEAD identifies, mentors and progresses PGA Members from diverse backgrounds along a guided path to volunteer leadership roles at the Chapter, Section and National levels of the Association.
PGA LEAD members poses for a photo during the 106th PGA Annual Meeting at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa on Thursday, November 3, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/PGA of America)
“This resolution isn’t a program or a marketing statement. This statement is used to guide the principles by which we aspire to” -Tony Martinez, PGA
“As a minority, as a female and as a PGA Member I strongly feel these positive words belong in our constitution where negative ones existed before” -Renee Powell, PGA
“As a minority, as a female and as a PGA Member I strongly feel these positive words belong in our constitution where negative ones existed before” -Renee Powell, PGA
“If you’ve never been turned away at someplace because of the color of your skin, you might not feel that you need to support this resolution. If you have never been turned down for a job because of your gender, you might not feel that you need to support this resolution. If you have never been passed over for a promotion, because of who you love, you might not feel that you need to support this resolution. If you have never walked into a golf shop or the 1st tee and have someone look at you as though you didn’t really belong there, you might not feel that you need to support this resolution. But, tradition is the enemy of progress. Let’s not let tradition get in the way of our progress.” -Cathy Harbin, PGA
“20 years coming to this meeting, this room looks very different than it did 20 years ago. The line of young diverse golf professionals that came up here is reason alone to support this resolution. This resolution will reinforce our commitment to DEI, and if it’s not approved, it makes a bigger statement of where we are.” -Derek Gutierrez, PGA
Following the discussion and during the final vote, the resolution on the Inclusion Statement passed with one hundred percent support from the delegation. The Inclusion Statement will live in Article 1 of PGA of America’s Constitution and be visible for all to see.
To learn more about PGA of America’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiatives and how you can get involved, please click here.
To learn more about PGA of America’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiatives and how you can get involved, please click here.
