About the Illinois PGA

Making golf a better game - the Mission of the Professional Golfers' Association of America since its inception in 1916. The PGA of America originated in New York when a group of men representing golf professionals and prominent amateurs met at a luncheon on January 17, 1916. These gentlemen discussed forming a national organization which would promote interest in the game of golf and help elevate the vocation of golf professionals. Charter membership was 82 that year. Today, there are over 24,000 PGA professionals and apprentices - making the PGA the world's largest working sports organization.

The PGA of America is divided up into 41 geographical areas. Each of these Sections conduct playing opportunities for PGA members, apprentices, and amateur golfers as well as support for the local golf professionals. Each Section also holds business meetings and continuing educational programs for its members and apprentices to benefit from and to assist in the fulfillment of the PGA of America's mission of "Making your golf game better - making golf a better game."

The Illinois Section PGA is comprised of over 800 PGA members and apprentices working at over 325 facilities. The Illinois Section PGA conducts over 50 events annually for their members and apprentices along with eight (8) Playing Ability Tests, which is the first step toward becoming a PGA member. The largest annual event the Illinois PGA conducts is the Illinois Open. For over 50 years, the Illinois Open has brought the finest amateur golfers together to compete against the finest professionals in the State Championship of Illinois Golf.