For whatever reason during my long tenure as a PGA Member, Governance has been a subject of continuous interest for me. I guess I’ve just always believed that we can do a better job of representing PGA Members. It’s the reason I made the decision to get involved in the first place.
And it hit me recently that the only meaningful occupation I’ve ever had is as a green grass golf professional. So, I hope it’s understandable that that is the lens through which I view our Members and our Association.
It’s a genuine privilege for me to serve as your new District 14 Director representing the Pacific Northwest and Southwest Sections. For the past year, I’ve been serving my “shadow year” under the tutelage of Seattle Golf Club’s Doug Doxsie so hopefully, I can hit the ground running. Doug has been a terrific mentor and I hope to be able to tap into his wisdom as I settle into his chair.
In terms of Members and geography, our two Sections are among the largest in the country. The Southwest and Pacific Northwest Sections are the fifth and sixth largest of our 41 Sections nationally and together include nearly 2,100 Members. And our District 14 is fourth largest among our fourteen Districts in terms of Members despite being the only District with just two Sections.
It’s an exciting time with so much opportunity ahead of us – a new PGA of America home in Frisco, TX., a Deferred Compensation Plan that will be rolled out early in 2023, a new Regional Plan that is designed to offer an entirely new level of service to PGA Members and a new commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion within our Association.
Of course, we will be presented with our share of challenges as well. But I’m confident we will flourish as programs such as PGA Coach, PGA Lead, PGA Junior League, PGA Works and PGA Hope continue to grow.
I look forward to our journey together.
Respectfully,
Jeff Lessig, PGA
National Director, District 14