ELMSFORD, N.Y. (July 1, 2013) – The PGA of America will return to its native state of New York this fall when they establish an office at the Metropolitan Golf Association’s “Golf Central” building in Elmsford, N.Y. The New York office will be led by the PGA of America’s Chief Marketing Officer Kevin Ring and will serve the PGA’s officers, Leadership Team and Staff, as the PGA prepares for its centennial celebration in 2016 with the 98th PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J.

“We are very excited about establishing a foothold in the New York Metropolitan Area, near the birthplace of The PGA of America,” said PGA Chief Executive Officer Pete Bevacqua. “New York holds a key to our future and a special link to our storied past. As we drive forward towards our centennial in 2016, the region will play a major role in telling the story of the first 100 years of The PGA and what the next 100 have in store for our Association.”

The PGA of America was founded at the Hotel Martinique on April 10, 1916 (now the Radisson Martinique on Broadway), after an exploratory meeting at the then nearby Taplow Club called by department store magnate Rodman Wanamaker—the namesake donator of the coveted Wanamaker Trophy, which is annually awarded to the PGA Champion. 

“We now join other major sports entities that have a vital presence in the region, including the NFL, NBA, Major League Baseball and our friends at the PGA Tour,” said Bevacqua. “Many of our key corporate relationships are centered in or around the New York Metropolitan Area, and I know that our Chief Business Officer, Kevin Carter, and his team are planning to utilize the space extensively. In addition, our domestic broadcast partners, including CBS, NBC and Turner, all have a headquarters or an extensive presence in the region and this will only help to deepen our relationships with them all. Of course, Palm Beach Gardens is our home, but a New York presence is an essential move, as we head toward our very promising future.”

As part of a developing relationship with New York, the PGA of America also recently announced a partnership with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to promote the first-ever “Taste NY Experience" at the 95th PGA Championship in Rochester from Aug. 5-11. It will be New York's 12th time hosting the PGA Championship, more than any other state in the country.

“The MGA and Metropolitan New York golf community are thrilled to have The PGA of America return to its roots and join us at Golf Central,” said Jay Mottola, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Golf Association. “We look forward to working alongside them as they drive forward towards another 100 years in golf.”