Just as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was a constant in the lives of millions given her 70 years on the throne, likewise her support of The PGA as its Patron.
Her late father, King George VI, had succeeded Edward VIII as the Association’s Patron and Elizabeth II became the third monarch to fulfil the role just five months after her accession to the throne in February 1952.
The PGA was based in Bishopsgate, London, at the time and its secretary, Commander RCT Roe, responded to the death of King George VI by sending a telegram of sympathy and floral tribute to his widow, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
Then during the Executive Committee’s Quarterly Meeting on July 14, 1952, Commander Roe reported that he had sent a letter to the Queen inviting her to become the Association’s Patron.
The Monarch’s acceptance followed nine days later in a letter signed by the Keeper of the Privy Purse at Buckingham Palace.
It read:
Dear Sir,
I am commanded by The Queen to inform you that Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to grant her Patronage to The Professional Golfers’ Association.
It will be in order for the words “Patron – Her Majesty The Queen” to appear in future under the name of your Association on all correspondence.
Yours truly,
Ulick Alexander
Keeper of the Privy Purse
Thus began an association that lasted 70-plus years.
