BY AAGD STAFF
May 22, 2019
When suppliers have a positive experience in the business of golf and benefit from golf’s economy, they are more likely to participate in the game. This truism is being reflected throughout the business networks of the PGA of America, one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of nearly 29,000 PGA Professionals who work daily to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.
Founded in 1916, the PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position by conducting premier spectator events, such as the PGA Championship, KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Ryder Cup, as well as significant philanthropic outreach initiatives and award-winning golf promotions. Hence, all of these events need a multiplicity of suppliers to bring together all of the right components to complete a successful event.
Since golf is an $84.1 billion per year industry, the purchasing decisions that the PGA of America and PGA Professional-affiliated facilities make can be influential in bringing new players into the game. “We are committed to including minority-, women-, veteran-, and LGBT-owned businesses in our procurement bidding opportunities and business operations,” states the PGA OF America Social Responsibility Report. This inclusion of small, local, and diverse-owned businesses helps to drive creativity and innovation in pursuit of its mission.
Chief People Officer Sandy Cross (left) discusses opportunities with an applicant during a PGA supplier inclusion event.
Chief People Officer Sandy Cross, a member of the PGA of America team for 23 years, was appointed to her newest role in January 2019 and has a wealth of experience that includes licensing and marketing, partnership sales and management, and women’s initiatives. In 2014, Ms. Cross successfully launched the PGA’s Diversity & Inclusion initiative. Among many notable accomplishments, Cross secured and cultivated some of the PGA’s most coveted and longstanding partnerships, including OMEGA, National Car Rental and PepsiCo. Cross was also on the front lines of launching Golf Retirement Plus and led the golf industry’s “Connecting With Her” strategic initiative—which helped build a foundation for the PGA’s inclusion programming that is making the game, industry workforce and supply chain more reflective of America.
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PGA of America Supplier Inclusion Opportunities Available to Support 2020 PGA Championship and Ryder Cup Application Deadline May 31, 2019
“The efforts of the PGA of America are encouraging and I would ask other companies within the golf industry to follow their lead,” said James Beatty, Executive Editor at African American Golfer’s Digest, also Founder of NCS International, an Omaha, Nebraska-based company that providers of an array of economic development services. He also serves on the WE ARE GOLF Diversity Task Force and recently launched Jim Beatty Golf Ventures, a golf promotion and management company.
In their Social Responsibility Report, the PGA of America reiterates, “We have committed to inclusive bidding, facilitated through our partnerships with various diverse organizations such as the National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA), the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the United States Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC), Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), and the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR).
Two prominent suppliers to the PGA of America who are succeeding at this sourcing initiative include Dave Cook, owner of Americana Foods and Darrell Searcy president, Chandler Campbell & Daschle. Both owners are experts in their industry and continue to achieve high levels of service.
In addition, diverse suppliers who are interested in partnering with the PGA of America are encouraged to join their supplier database and complete the 202 PGA Championship Vendor Profile Form.
DOWNLOAD THE PGA OF AMERICA SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY REPORT
