Derek Sprague is leaving after one year as CEO at the PGA of America, wishing to return to upstate New York to help support his mother and mother-in-law who are requiring more care.
Sprague took over in January 2025, the first club professional in 20 years to be CEO and the first former PGA president appointed to the role. The PGA of America has some 30,000 professionals, and it runs the Ryder Cup in America and the PGA Championship for men, women and seniors.
He said he would stay on in an advisory role to ensure a smooth transition when the PGA of America finds his successor. Sprague had informed the PGA of America board in early December of his need to get home to Malone, New York.
The PGA of America said it expects to announce a new CEO in the coming weeks.
''At my daughter's wedding last month in upstate New York, it became clear that my family needs me nearby to assist with the care of my mother and mother-in-law,'' Sprague said in a statement. ''Focusing on family has become my priority, and the best decision for me is to step away from my role as CEO and return home to be with them.''
Sprague, who served as PGA president from 2014-16, was selected as CEO to replace Seth Waugh, the former Deutsche Bank Americas CEO who had been lured out of retirement in 2018.
Waugh had been grooming Craig Kessler, the PGA's chief operating officer, as a potential replacement until the PGA board opted for one of its members. Kessler was appointed LPGA commissioner last summer.
Sprague was the PGA of America executive who reached out to Rory McIlroy to apologize for the verbal abuse the Northern Irishman endured at Bethpage Black during the Ryder Cup. McIlroy's wife, Erica, previously worked at the PGA of America and McIlroy said Sprague ''couldn't have been more gracious'' in what he described as a ''lovely letter.''
