Seth Waugh leaving as CEO of the PGA of America after 6 years - ESPN

Seth Waugh is leaving the PGA of America after six years as CEO, a period marked by a sharp boost in golf participation and PGA membership and the move of its headquarters from Florida to a massive complex in Texas.

Waugh was the CEO of Deutsche Bank Americas when he joined the PGA of America board as an independent director and then was hired to lead the 30,000-plus members in 2018.

His contract was up for renewal on June 30, and Waugh decided not to renew.

«It feels like the right time, not only personally but professionally,» Waugh said. «We've accomplished an awful lot in the six years. The game has never been in better shape. Participation is at an all-time high. It's growing in all the ways we hoped it would.

»The fastest growth is women and people of color. We try to make the game look like the rest of the world, and maybe have the world behave more like our game."

Waugh will stay on with the PGA of America in a senior advisory role. He will be at the Open Championship and Paris Olympics and plans to be part of the Ryder Cup next year at Bethpage Black.

The PGA of America said it has begun a search for CEO including candidates from inside and outside the association. Kerry Haigh, the chief championships officer and a key executive since 1989, will be interim CEO but will not be a candidate.

«We are grateful for Seth's leadership and for all that he accomplished for our members, our game, the business and our people,» PGA of America president John Lindert said. «He skillfully led us through incredibly challenging times and was always a great partner. We are fortunate to be able to call on him going forward for his always helpful advice and counsel.»

Waugh's involvement in golf dates back longer than his time with