PGA of America President Don Rea Jr. has been removed from his seat on the PGA Tour’s policy boards and reassigned to focus on “member-first priorities” for the remainder of his term, the association confirmed in a statement. Rea, who was elected the 44th president of the PGA of America in 2024, is no longer listed on the boards of PGA Tour Inc. or PGA Tour Enterprises, a position traditionally held by the sitting president since the tour’s organizational split in the 1960s. His vice president, Nathan Charnes, has taken over that board role — an unprecedented shift for a president still in office. 

The change stems from ongoing criticism of Rea’s public handling of fan behavior during the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, where some American spectators directed profane chants at European players and members of the U.S. team. Rea drew controversy for comparing the conduct to scenes one might witness at a youth soccer game and initially downplaying the incidents. His comments drew condemnation from players, European officials, and golf observers alike. Rea later issued an apology to PGA of America members, acknowledging that some of his remarks were poorly received. 

In the PGA’s statement, leadership said Rea will concentrate on board leadership, governance, section engagement, and initiatives that directly support PGA of America golf professionals and grassroots efforts. His term as president is scheduled to conclude in November 2026. The shift effectively sidelines him from broader PGA Tour policy discussions, and he has been notably less visible in recent official communications, including announcements on leadership transitions. 

The fallout highlights heightened scrutiny of golf leadership in the wake of the Ryder Cup controversy and marks a rare mid-term adjustment in the PGA of America’s governance structure. With Charnes stepping into his board role and Rea’s responsibilities refocused, the PGA is signaling a renewed emphasis on member engagement and organizational stability. 

Standout players Kevin Hall, Willie Mack III and Kamaiu Johnson are also honored for their success on the APGA Tour and beyond

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida (February 19, 2026) – PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan and Golf Digest senior editor Tod Leonard were honored for their commitment to growing the game through their ongoing support of the Advocates Professional Golf Association during the APGA Cisco Black History Month Awards Ceremony on Friday.

Additionally, the Chuck Robbins Scholarship, named in honor of Cisco Chair and CEO Chuck Robbins, was awarded to Joshua Mitchell, an Atlanta native and a sophomore on the men’s golf team at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.

Top APGA players Kevin Hall, Willie Mack III and Kamaiu Johnson were celebrated for their accomplishments on the APGA Tour and beyond.

The APGA Cisco Black History Month Awards Ceremony celebrates leadership, excellence and service in golf, while honoring individuals whose work advances opportunity and inclusion within the game. In partnership with Cisco, the evening recognizes award recipients, scholarship honorees and leaders whose impact aligns with the mission of the APGA Tour. The Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring an inclusive future through the game of golf.

The ceremony preceded the Cisco APGA Black History Month Classic, set to played Thursday and Friday at TPC Sawgrass Dye’s Valley Course. The APGA’s second tournament of the 2026 season features a field of 54 players competing for a $25,000 purse.

“I am thrilled to announce these incredibly deserving honorees at the APGA Cisco Black History Month Awards,” said Ken Bentley, Co-Founder and Chairman of the APGA.

Jay Monahan was honored with the Ken Bentley Leadership Award, presented in recognition of visionary leadership and an unwavering commitment to driving meaningful change in golf and beyond.

Monahan has served as the Commissioner of the PGA TOUR since 2016, just the fourth person to serve in that role. Under Monahan’s leadership, the partnership forged between the PGA TOUR and APGA for more than a decade has reimagined a pathway to the top of the professional game for golfers from underrepresented communities by opening doors to top-level golf courses, encouraging financial investment and sponsorship and creating long-term impact. APGA players and alumni have earned more than 200 entries into PGA TOUR events. Each year, select APGA Tour events are played at TPC Network properties that host PGA TOUR-sanctioned events, and the APGA Collegiate ranking system provides opportunities for top college players to further their pursuit of making it to the game’s top level.

“Commissioner Monahan has been a staunch supporter of the APGA and an advocate for our mission to inspire an inclusive future through the game of golf for his entire tenure at the PGA TOUR, and we wouldn’t have been able to achieve what we have without the PGA TOUR’s support,” Bentley said.

Tod Leonard was honored with the APGA Media Award, presented to a member of the media whose work elevates the visibility, credibility and mission of the APGA Tour. Leonard, a senior editor at Golf Digest, has reported on golf for more than 25 years, first at a number of top California newspapers and now at one of America’s most respected golf publications. He has covered more than 70 major championships. Leonard has written about the APGA regularly since 2020, charting the tour’s rise while highlighting many of its top players.

“Tod is one of the most trusted voices in golf media and has spent countless hours getting to know our players and telling their stories to the world,” Bentley said. “His dedication to chronicling the APGA’s growth has made a significant impact in so many ways.”

Joshua Mitchell was presented with the Chuck Robbins Scholarship, whichis awarded to a student whose academic achievement, leadership and personal story reflect the values of opportunity, access and advancement supported by Cisco’s partnership with the APGA. The scholarship is named in honor of Cisco Chair and CEO Chuck Robbins, whose visionary leadership combined with Cisco’s commitment to diversity and inclusion continue to create meaningful opportunities within the world of golf.

Mitchell was introduced to the game by his grandfather and played two years of varsity golf at Riverwood International Charter School in Atlanta before continuing his academic and athletic pursuits at Florida A&M. He is a business administration major and a member of the Scholars of Finance Club. Mitchell has interned with First Tee of Metro Atlanta, where he supported youth development programs and helped introduce young players to the game of golf.

“We are thrilled to present Joshua Mitchell with a scholarship bearing Chuck Robbins’s name,” Bentley said. “Chuck and his team at Cisco have made a long-lasting positive impact on the APGA through their sponsorship of the APGA TOUR and a number of our top events, and supporting a promising young golfer such as Josh will only extend that impact.”

Kevin Hall was honored with the APGA Tour Award, presented in recognition of outstanding achievements in tournament competition on the golf course, both on and outside of the APGA Tour. Hall has played on the APGA Tour since its debut in 2010. The 43-year-old Cincinnati native secured his eighth APGA Tour victory last fall and was the recipient of the 2025 APGA Adrian Stills Award presented by Cisco.

In addition to his successes in APGA events, Hall has also made a name for himself elsewhere on the golf course. The only deaf golfer on the APGA Tour, Hall earned a silver medal competing at the 2025 Deaflympics in Tokyo. Inducted into the African American Golfers Hall of Fame in 2022, Hall was one of seven APGA players to advance to the second stage of PGA TOUR Q School in December. The St. Rita School for the Deaf graduate has made seven PGA TOUR starts, most recently at the 2021 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and as the Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption recipient at the 2017 Genesis Open.

Kamaiu Johnson and Willie Mack III were each honored with the APGA Chairman’s Award, presented to individuals who, through their achievements and sacrifices, have meaningfully advanced the mission and long-term impact of the APGA Tour.

Johnson is an eight-time APGA winner who secured two victories in 2025 – at the APGA Juneteenth Classic in Los Angeles and the APGA at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona. A Tallahassee native andOviedo, Florida resident, Johnson has made five starts on the PGA TOUR, all between 2021 and 2023.

Mack III is the APGA’s winningest active player with 17 APGA Tourtitles. He is also one of its foremost veterans, having played with the APGA annually since he turned pro and debuted in 2011, one year after the APGA’s founding. Mack III, a native of Flint, Michigan who live in Orlando, has played in 10 PGA TOUR events, including the 2024 U.S. Open.

“The accolades that Kevin, Kamaiu and Willie have collected on the golf course, and their contributions to the APGA Tour speak volumes about their commitment and character,” Bentley said.

Tiger Woods hasn’t ruled out a return to the 2026 Masters Tournament despite ongoing recovery challenges, leaving fans hopeful ahead of golf’s first major of the year. Speaking at The Genesis Invitational, where he serves as host, the 15-time major champion was asked directly whether a comeback at Augusta National was “off the table.” His succinct response: “No.”

Woods, who turned 50 in December and continues rehabilitation from a disc replacement surgery in October 2025 — his seventh back procedure — acknowledged the physical toll his body has endured but emphasized his commitment to progress and strength building. Although he can hit full shots, he admitted they aren’t always consistent day to day. The ruptured Achilles tendonAchilles tendon he suffered earlier is no longer an issue, but his recovery timeline remains uncertain due to age and the cumulative impact of past injuries.

Beyond competitive golf, Woods has immersed himself in PGA Tour leadership and policy work, actively shaping the future of the sport and discussing potential changes to the tour schedule. He also addressed speculation about captaining the U.S. Ryder Cup team in 2027 but stopped short of committing, citing the need for focus and time to do the job justice.

Whether Woods tees it up at Augusta this April remains one of golf’s most intriguing storylines. With five Masters titles to his name — including a memorable 2019 victory — a possible return would spark excitement across the golf world. His hesitant but hopeful stance keeps the door open for an inspiring comeback on golf’s biggest stage.

The Black College Golf Coaches Association (BCGCA has elected Andre Springs, head golf coach at Livingstone College, to serve as its new president beginning February 1, 2026. Springs has been involved with the organization since its inception and has consistently supported its mission to strengthen and elevate golf programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities nationwide.

“It is an honor to serve as president of the Black College Golf Coaches Association,” Springs said. “I will prioritize expanding strategic partnerships, revitalizing the BCGCA’s digital presence, and securing the resources necessary to create sustainable pathways for the next generation of golfers to lead on and off the course.”

The Black College Golf Coaches Association is a national organization committed to advancing HBCU golf programs by supporting coaches, student-athletes, and athletic departments. Through professional development initiatives, collaborative networking opportunities, competitive advocacy, and resource development, the BCGCA works to ensure that HBCU golf programs receive the visibility, funding, and institutional support needed to compete and thrive at the highest levels of collegiate golf.

Founded to unify and amplify the voices of Black college golf coaches, the association also serves as a strategic platform for corporate partnerships, tournament access, and leadership development within the sport. Its efforts have helped bring increased attention to HBCU golf while creating stronger pipelines for student-athletes pursuing competitive and professional opportunities.

More information about the organization can be found at www.bcgca.org, and updates are shared on Instagram at @blackcollegegolfcoaches.

OMAHA, NE —The African American Golf EXPO & Forum will return January 26–29, 2027, in Orlando, Florida, bringing together golf enthusiasts, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, youth, and advocates for diversity within the sport. Co-located with the PGA Show at the Orange County Convention Center, the 2027 EXPO is offering a special, limited-time exhibitor promotion in recognition of Black History Month.

Companies wishing to exhibit can secure space for $1,000—a 50% savings off the regular $2,000 rate. The deeply discounted exhibitor package includes:

• Two days of exhibit space at the Orange County Convention Center
• One day at the Jim Beatty Invitational Scramble
• One day at the Adult and Youth Golf Clinic

The African American Golf EXPO & Forum has become a powerful platform dedicated to increasing awareness, participation, and business opportunities within the African American golf community. Since its founding, the EXPO has provided a national stage for golf brands, resorts, apparel companies, equipment manufacturers, authors, media outlets, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders to connect directly with a highly engaged audience.

Beyond the exhibit floor, the Forum component distinguishes the event from traditional golf expos. It features panel discussions, networking sessions, educational seminars, and conversations centered on ownership, careers in golf, youth development, travel, entrepreneurship, and diversity initiatives across the golf industry. The event has consistently drawn PGA professionals, industry executives, grassroots organizers, and passionate golfers from across the country.

Over the years, the EXPO has grown in stature and influence, aligning itself with the PGA Show in Orlando to maximize visibility and industry impact. By hosting the EXPO alongside one of the largest golf business gatherings in the world, organizers have created a strategic opportunity for minority-owned businesses and community-focused brands to expand their reach.

The 2027 event continues that tradition of growth and innovation. With four days of programming, tournament play, clinics, and business engagement, the EXPO offers exhibitors and attendees meaningful access to decision-makers and consumers alike.

The special exhibitor rate is available only during Black History Month, making this an ideal time for companies to secure premium exposure at a significantly reduced investment. Additional event details will be announced as the 2027 dates approach. For more information about exhibiting or participating in the 2027 African American Golf EXPO & Forum, contact: Jim Beatty, Phone: 402-415-9615 or Email: [email protected]m

AUGUSTA, GA (February 16, 2026) — Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament, announced today that Geoff Yang, of Woodside, Calif., has been named Chairman of the Masters Tournament Rules and Competition Committees. This role was previously held by Jim Hyler, of Pinehurst, N.C., who was appointed prior to the 2018 Masters Tournament and held the position through last April. Yang has served on the Masters Tournament Rules Committee since 2007 and the Competition Committees since 2018.  

“Jim has been an exemplary leader of our Rules and Competition Committees, and we are thankful for his many contributions and commitment to the Masters,” said Ridley. “I am delighted for Geoff to assume this important position. He is well prepared and uniquely suited to serve the Tournament in this capacity.”

The 2026 Masters Tournament is scheduled for April 6 – 12.

The Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) Tour returns this week to one of Florida’s most recognized championship venues for the 2026 APGA Cisco Black History Month Classic at TPC Sawgrass’ Dye’s Valley Course in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. The tournament will be played Wednesday, February 18 through Friday, February 20, marking the second event and first full-field competition of the 2026 APGA Tour season.

A field of 54 professional golfers will compete over 36 holes on the challenging Dye’s Valley layout, battling for a $25,000 purse. The tournament champion will earn $7,500 along with 500 points toward both the Cisco Cup Series and the Jeff Dailey Player of the Year standings.

West Palm Beach resident Chase Johnson returns to defend his title after winning last year’s event with a 5-under-par 135 (67-68), edging 2025 APGA Player of the Year Marcus Byrd by one stroke. Johnson, a Barberton, Ohio native, is a two-time APGA Player of the Year (2023, 2024) and seven-time APGA Tour winner. He was the only APGA golfer to compete in the 2025 U.S. Open, earning his place through Final Qualifying, and has made nine PGA TOUR starts since 2021, including a 2024 Genesis Invitational appearance via the Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption.

Byrd, a Washington, D.C. native and Temple Hills, Maryland resident, enters the week as one of the tour’s top players. A nine-time APGA winner and 2025 Jeff Dailey Player of the Year, Byrd captured the 2026 season-opening APGA Farmers Insurance Invitational at Torrey Pines and received an exemption into the PGA TOUR’s Farmers Insurance Open.

The field also features Willie Mack III, the APGA’s winningest active player with 17 titles; eight-time champion Kamaiu Johnson; Rwanda-born John-Baptiste Hakizimana; and Kevin Hall, the tour’s only deaf golfer and an eight-time APGA champion who earned a silver medal at the 25th Deaflympics in Tokyo. Additional standouts include Gregory Odom Jr., Jaime Lopez Rivarola, Wyatt Worthington II, Jonathan Yoshihiro, and Joey Stills.

Tournament week begins Wednesday morning with practice rounds and a Pro-Am at 9:05 a.m. ET. That evening, the APGA Cisco Black History Month Classic Awards Ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. ET, honoring PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan, Chuck Robbins Scholarship recipient Joshua Mitchell, Golf Digest Senior Editor Tod Leonard, and APGA player award winners.

Founded in 2010, the APGA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring an inclusive future through the game of golf. Through competitive opportunities, scholarships, and player development, the tour continues to expand access and visibility for underrepresented golfers.

Round 1 begins Thursday, February 19 at 9:05 a.m. ET, followed by the final round Friday at the same time. Tee times and live scoring will be available through official APGA channels. Media planning to attend the tournament or awards ceremony are encouraged to RSVP at [email protected].