PGA of America Board of Directors votes to remove PGA President Ted Bishop from office

CLARIFICATION ON REMOVAL OF PGA PRESIDENT TED BISHOP

TED BISHOP'S RECORD OF SERVICE AND PGA MEMBERSHIP REMAIN INTACT

 

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (October 27, 2014) -- To correct many erroneous media reports regarding Ted Bishop's membership status, the PGA of America is providing this statement for clarification.

The PGA of America would like to clarify that Ted Bishop will retain his status as a member of the PGA of America. As such, he will enjoy the same rights and privileges of all PGA members, including the ability to attend PGA of America events.

Bishop will continue to be recognized as the 38th President of the PGA, and his record of service during the time period which he served will remain intact.

Due to his removal from office, Bishop will not serve on the Board of Directors in the role of Honorary President, nor will he be granted the rights and privileges of a Past President in our governance structure.

 

PGA OF AMERICA BOARD OF DIRECTORS VOTES TO REMOVE PGA PRESIDENT TED BISHOP FROM OFFICE 

 

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (October 24, 2014) -- The PGA of America Board of Directors voted today to remove Ted Bishop, the 38th PGA President, from office for insensitive gender-based statements posted yesterday on social media. The Board deemed the remarks to be inconsistent with the policies of the PGA. 

 

“The PGA of America understands the enormous responsibility it has to lead this great game and to enrich lives in our society through golf,” said PGA Chief Executive Officer Pete Bevacqua. “We must demand of ourselves that we make golf both welcoming and inclusive to all who want to experience it, and everyone at the PGA of America must lead by example.”

 

Under the Bylaws of the PGA Constitution, Vice President Derek Sprague has been appointed the Association’s Interim President until Nov. 22, when the election of new national officers takes place at the 98th PGA Annual Meeting. PGA Secretary Paul Levy will assume the dual responsibilities of Vice President and Secretary until the election.

 

“The Members and Apprentices of the PGA of America must uphold the highest standards and values of the profession, as well as the manner in which we conduct ourselves at all times,” said Sprague, the PGA General Manager and Director of Golf at Malone (New York) Golf Club. “We apologize to any individual or group that felt diminished, in any way, by this unacceptable incident.”