Sandy Jones appointed executive president at PGA

The PGA has ensured it will benefit from the extensive experience and knowledge Sandy Jones has acquired as its chief executive by offering him a role when he retires.

Jones, who will be succeeded by Robert Maxfield following The PGA’s annual general meeting at the end of March, has been appointed executive president and will still be retained by the Association, albeit on a reduced basis.

As president of the Golf Foundation, chairman of the PGAs of Europe and The Ryder Cup Trust, Jones always planned to remain involved with the sport. This latest appointment, however, adds up to an even busier retirement and Jones said: “I see this as an ambassadorial role and I am delighted to be asked. I will remain a Trustee of The PGA Benevolent Fund, supporting the fund raising in particular through The PGA Annual Lunches which are a major source of revenue to the fund.

“Another responsibility will be assisting in the looking after of our Heritage Collection which has great value in the world of golf.  It is our intention to create a virtual Heritage room so that the collection can be viewed around the world and I look forward to working on this project very shortly. I will be available to Rob as and when he feels I can be of assistance and certainly in and around Ryder Cup matters.”

The position will see Jones extending an association with The PGA which began in 1980 when he was appointed Scottish region secretary. During the decade he was there, Jones quadrupled the Tartan Tour’s prize money to just shy of £1m and developed the growth of The PGA in Scotland.

He became chief executive in December 1991 and during the subsequent 25 years The PGA has played a significant role in the development of the game, not just in Great Britain and Ireland but around the world.  That is borne out by more than 1,400 of its almost 8,000 Members working in 79 countries worldwide.

His initiative saw the creation at The Belfry of what has become The PGA National Training Academy and European Centre of Excellence for Golf. This, in conjunction with the University of Birmingham, now offers a foundation degree in Professional Golf Studies and an honours degree in Applied Golf Management Studies.

In addition, a partnership with the University of Highlands & Islands offers an honours degree in Professional Golf and a diploma in Higher Education in Professional Golf. More recently, a diploma in Golf Club Management in partnership with the Golf Course Managers’ Association (GCMA) and British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) was created.

The PGA National Training Academy also serves as the hub for the ongoing professional development programme offering vocational education opportunities for all PGA Professionals.

Image of Sandy Jones usde courtesy of Matthew Lewis at Getty Images.