PGA of America History - 1930-1939

  • 1930:
    • PGA National Office moves from New York to Chicago.
    • Albert Gates is hired as business administrator and legal advisor.
    • Bobby Jones wins "Grand Slam" - USGA Open, USGA Amateur, British Open and British Amateur - then retires from active competition at 28.
    • The name "PGA" is trademarked and The Professional Golfer of America magazine is copyrighted.
    • Tommy Armour becomes the third foreign-born PGA Champion.
  • 1931:
    • The PGA of America adds and adopts a Code of Ethics to the Constitution.
  • 1932:
    • Business Administrator Albert Gates voluntarily draws less than half his salary due to economic conditions.
  • 1933:
    • George Jacobus becomes the first American-born president of The PGA. Jacobus also is the first president of the Association to rise from the caddie ranks.
    • An article by President Jacobus appears in every issue of The Professional Golfer of America magazine.
    • The Association creates an Unemployment Relief Committee as the depression worsens.
    • Membership requires a three-year apprenticeship.
  • 1934:
    • Horton Smith wins the first Masters at Augusta (Ga.) National Golf Club, posting a 284 for 72 holes.
  • 1935:
    • Golf Course architect A.W. Tillinghast is hired to provide PGA members with consulting service on design of their courses.
    • More than 200 PGA members participate in matches against a visiting six-man team from Japan.
  • 1936:
    • Membership in The PGA of America grows to 1,800.
    • Golf Promotion Bureau, forerunner of the National Golf Foundation, is started as a golf market development service by Herb and Joe Graffis, publishers of Golfdom.
    • The First PGA Seniors Championship is held at Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Ga. Jock Hutchison wins the 54-hole tournament shooting 76-75-72-223.
  • 1937:
    • The Vardon Trophy is placed in competition among American professionals. The first winner is Harry "Lighthorse" Cooper.
  • 1938:
    • Judge Earle F. Tilly endows his extensive golf library to The PGA of America.
  • 1939:
    • The Ryder Cup Matches are cancelled due to the outbreak of World War II.
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PGA of America Leaders

Ted Bishop
President
Derek Sprague
Vice President
Paul Levy
Secretary
Allen Wronowski
Honorary President
Peter Bevacqua
CEO
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