Greg McLaughlin named World Golf Foundation CEO and president of The First Tee

Newly consolidated role to bring together direction and leadership of World Golf Foundation, The First Tee and World Golf Hall of Fame

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The World Golf Foundation Board of Directors recently announced that Greg McLaughlin will assume the combined roles and responsibilities of World Golf Foundation chief executive officer and president of The First Tee. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Greg to this incredibly important new role,” said Jay Monahan, World Golf Foundation chairman and PGA Tour commissioner. “I’m not sure we could have asked for a more qualified, passionate leader, considering his deep level of experience and executive leadership success within the golf world and beyond.”

McLaughlin will strategically direct the World Golf Foundation, The First Tee and World Golf Hall of Fame, expanding the reach, impact and global prominence of each and ensuring financial performance and sustainability. McLaughlin most recently served as president of PGA TOUR Champions since January 2015. Prior to his role at the TOUR, he was CEO of the Tiger Woods Foundation for 14 years.

“As a member of the greater golf community for more than 30 years, I have always been proud of what the collective efforts of our sport have done and continue to do to inspire communities and change lives, especially for young people who can learn and grow through the values of golf,” McLaughlin said. “This is an exciting time in the evolution of the World Golf Foundation and, specifically, The First Tee, and I am humbled by and excited for the opportunity to lead our industry’s efforts to increase participation and global awareness of golf as a sport that is welcoming to all.”

McLaughlin joined the PGA Tour in 2014, initially as senior vice president of the Tour’s Championship Management division. He was promoted to PGA Tour Champions president in 2015 and executive vice president of the PGA Tour in 2018. Prior to joining the Tiger Woods Foundation in 2000, McLaughlin was the vice president of tournaments at the (now-named) Genesis Open, Honda Classic and BMW Championship. McLaughlin graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in economics. He also received his Juris Doctor from Chicago-Kent College of Law.

Ten-year World Golf Foundation CEO Steve Mona will assist McLaughlin with the transition, as executive director of WE ARE GOLF and senior advisor, before retiring later next year. In addition, 25-year golf industry veteran Jack Peter, who oversaw the design, build-out and operation of PGA Tour Entertainment and most recently was president of the World Golf Hall of Fame, will retire from his position at the end of the year.

Brodie Waters, World Golf Hall of Fame vice president of business affairs, will lead the Hall of Fame structure, funding and operations with McLaughlin’s oversight, and will also oversee PR/communications activities for the World Golf Foundation.

Miller Brady, a 19-year veteran of the PGA Tour, will succeed McLaughlin to lead PGA TOUR Champions. Brady steps into the role after most recently working under McLaughlin as senior vice president and chief of operations, where his responsibilities have included direct oversight of tournament business affairs, operations, competitions and player relations, as well as scheduling.