Metropolitan PGA Board of Directors keep in tune with history to celebrate the PGA’s 103rd birthday

The PGA of America turns 103 today, and the Metropolitan PGA Section – one of the Association’s original member entities – helped light the candles in advance.

 

Gathering at the Martinique New York on Broadway, Curio Collection by Hilton, the Metropolitan PGA leadership met in the hotel’s second-floor boardroom. It was there on April 10, 1916, that the PGA’s constitution and bylaws were ratified, and 78 members were elected to launch the country’s first all-professional golf association.

 

Formerly the Radisson Martinique, the hotel in Midtown Manhattan, at 49 West 32nd Street and Broadway, opened in 1898. It is a member of the Historic Hotels of America.

 

In anticipation of today’s PGA birthday, the Met PGA’s 16-member board and nominating committee convened on March 26, to become first PGA of America entity in over a century to conduct business at the historic site. The board went over plans to greet the 101st PGA Championship, May 13-19, at Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, New York.

 

 

“Met PGA Professionals revel in the history of the PGA,” said Section President Carl Alexander, the PGA Director of Golf at the Golf Club of Purchase, New York. “As players and instructors, our history is at the foundation of professional golf.  We appreciate those who came before us and it is an honor to carry on their traditions. 

 

“Hosting our Met PGA Board Meeting at the Martinique in the same room where the PGA of America was founded was an inspiring event. We read the founding documents and then discussed the final preparations for the PGA Championship at Bethpage. It was an amazing experience.”

 

Section Executive Director Jeff Voorheis said that the board “felt like part of the family at the Martinique.”

 

“They are especially proud of their PGA history and were very excited to have us in the board room and among the exhibit they maintain at the hotel,” said Voorheis. “Our meeting was certainly a break from the norm and got a jolt from being held at a truly special venue. The connection to our history was palpable and the atmosphere created a heightened camaraderie among our board and staff.”