It all began thanks to the determination of the Great Triumvirate, and other leading professional golfers of the day, to make their voices heard.
A century and a quarter later, The PGA’s mission remains the same: to improve the personal and professional lives of our Members through our values of being professional, supportive, respectful and acting with integrity.
“This is a very special year for our Association,” said Alan White, Chairman of The PGA. “Ever since 1901, we have worked together to improve the personal and professional lives of our Members.
“Today, we have 8,500 Members working in 80 countries across a wide range of roles — from club professionals and coaches to an increasing number of managers and directors of golf — a spectrum that has evolved significantly from what our founding fathers set up 125 years ago. I am very proud of The PGA and what it stands for, and I hope you are too."
Pictured: Harry Vardon, Ted Ray, James Braid and JH Taylor were among the greatest golfers of their day and indeed in history
Where did it all begin?
“The time is now ripe for the professionals to band themselves into an association to promote the general welfare of the professional and look after his interests.”
This one letter, from a North Wales professional, which appeared in Golf Illustrated on April 12, 1901, has had an incredible impact on the landscape of golf.
From these short words evolved an organisation which now has thousands of Members across the world: your PGA – the oldest professional golfers association.
It was the dedication of three pioneers, the Great Triumvirate of JH Taylor, James Braid and Harry Vardon, which proved critical.
Their desire was to raise the status of those who earned their living from playing the game. They galvanised support and formed the London and Counties Golf Professionals’ Association on September 9, 1901.
At the first AGM, held at the start of December, the name was changed to ‘The Professional Golfers’ Association’. It was the original PGA, with an initial membership reported as 59 professionals and 11 assistants.
It was a very different world at the start of the 20th century. Even the very best professionals – and Taylor, Braid and Vardon won 16 Opens between them – made their living at golf clubs, giving lessons, making clubs and balls and competing in tournaments.
It was in every sense the fundamental essence of the PGA Professional and, 125 years on, that remains as relevant as ever.
The Association set out to promote general welfare, to create better working conditions and relationships and to look after its members throughout their careers.
It was heavily male dominated. But as the women’s game emerged in the mid-20th century and demanded a more prominent place within the professional game, the Women’s Professional Golfers’ Association was established in 1978 and became a recognised part of the wider PGA.
Today’s PGA Professional remains the heartbeat of the game. They are teachers, mentors, managers and innovators who shape the experience of millions of golfers every day.
And though the scale has changed, the founding principles have not. Golf will continue to evolve but the PGA Professional is as vital now as 125 years ago.
Pictured: The PGA's headquarters at Apollo House, The Belfry, in 1977
A brief timeline
1901: A letter, published in Golf Illustrated, proves the spur for the Great Triumvirate to bring golfers together to form the London and Counties Golf Professionals' Association in September. At the first AGM, in December, the name is changed to 'The Professional Golfers' Association'.
1921: The first international match between professionals from Great Britain and the United States takes place in June at Gleneagles. The British team wins 9-3.
1927: The first Ryder Cup is held at the Worcester Golf & Country Club, in Massachusetts, and is won by the USA by 9.5 to 2.5. Abe Mitchell, one of The PGA's most famous members, is the gilded figure at the summit of the soon to be iconic trophy, of which The PGA are owners and custodians.
1961: The new PGA Teaching Advisory Committee comes together for the first time. It marks the beginning of a rapid expansion in education.
1962: The PGA form a Ladies' section in March. Sixteen years later, the Women's Professional Golf Association is established.
1973: The PGA Cup is born, establishing a biennial match between the PGA of America and the PGA of Great Britain & Ireland.
1977: The PGA moves into its new home at Apollo House, The Belfry, with a 99-year lease. Centenary House, the current headquarters for the Association, is opened in 1998.
1996: Lynne Sweeney becomes the first female PGA Trainee of the Year, and PING becomes The PGA's official Education Partner as the PGA National Training Academy opens.
2000: The PGA partners with the University of Birmingham, laying the foundation of what would be the highest standard university degree tailored specifically for aspiring professional golfers.
2000: The first Open SwingZone takes place at St Andrews, as 28 PGA Members deliver lessons to junior golfers. The PGA, along with The R&A and The Golf Foundation, remains committed to growing the game.
2001: The PGA celebrates 100 years. As part of the celebrations, 100 oak trees are planted at UK clubs that have made significant contributions to golf over the past century.
2005: Beverly Lewis, a Master PGA Professional and founding member of the WPGA, becomes the first female PGA Captain.
2016: The PGA partners with the University of the Highlands and Islands to launch the Diploma of Higher Education in Professional Golf
2021: PGA Play was launched to directly connect golfers with PGA Professionals and Coaches worldwide using the free-to-use search platform. PGA Play has since grown to over 1,800 active Member profiles, with 188,000 users engaging with the platform in 2025.
2022: PGA Excel was launched, providing a modern framework that supports professional development and recognition and allows PGA Members to evidence their impact, achievements and value. More than 150 Members have achieved higher designations since its introduction, which replaced the previous APAL system.
2025: 2025 marked the 25th year of the collaboration between The PGA and the University of Birmingham - a partnership that redefines what it means to be a golf professional in the modern world.
2026: The PGA celebrates its 125th birthday - a quasquicentennial.
To learn more about the history of The PGA, click here.
