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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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