When the founding group of officials set in motion a series of events that led to the formation of the PGAs of Europe in 1990 they had only an outline idea of just how big and significant the association was to become.
Twenty-two national PGAs was undoubtedly a great start and a most rewarding response to those exploratory steps. As they collectively represented a total of 6,100 individual working professionals, it all suggested that a significant new body was taking shape in its embryo form.
This was, after all, the first time that they had all been represented by one central body. As a result a ‘European Community’ of professional golfers was up and running. But where would it lead?
Now, 18 years on, the answer is there for all to see: the story has been of growth…growth… and more growth.
• The membership of 22 has become 30 ‘Full Members’
• An additional category of ‘International Member’ has developed, currently comprising 7 PGAs from outside of the continent of Europe.
• The total number of PGA Professionals across member PGAs has grown from 6,100 to 15,000.
Not even the most visionary of those pioneers could have envisaged such PGAs as GB&I, Germany, France, Sweden and Spain being joined by what back then would have seemed to be unlikely golfing nations such as Bulgaria, Iceland, Brazil, India, Jamaica and Mexico.
But the story doesn’t end there. With several other national PGAs seeking membership how long will it be before that original membership of 22 countries is doubled?
PGAs of Europe www.pgae.com
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