Introduction
The Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Tour is one of the most popular sports tours in the world. It is home to some of the best players on the planet, who compete in tournaments all around the globe. But how did the PGA Tour come to be? In this article, we’ll explore the history of the PGA Tour and take a look at when it was founded.
A Historical Look at the Founding of the PGA Tour
The PGA Tour has its roots in the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA of America). The PGA of America was established in 1916 and was responsible for regulating the game of golf in the United States. As the sport grew in popularity, the need arose for a professional tour, where players could compete against one another on a regular basis.
In response to this need, the PGA of America formed the Professional Golfers’ Association Tour in 1929. This new tour was designed to give professional golfers the opportunity to compete in tournaments across the country on a consistent basis. The PGA of America hoped that the tour would help to further promote the game of golf, as well as increase the visibility of professional golfers.
Exploring the Beginnings of the Professional Golfers’ Association Tour
The first step in forming the PGA Tour was to appoint a group of founding fathers. These men were selected from among the most prominent professional golfers of the time, including Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, and Johnny Farrell. Together, these men set out to establish the rules and regulations for the tour, as well as develop a schedule of tournaments.
The founding fathers determined that each tournament on the tour would have a minimum purse of $5,000, which was a significant amount of money at the time. They also decided that the tour should include a variety of events, such as stroke play, four-ball, and match play. Finally, they established a points system to determine the overall winner of the tour.
How the PGA Tour Got its Start
Once the rules and regulations were established, the next step was to find players to compete on the tour. The founding fathers reached out to the top professional golfers of the day, offering them the chance to join the tour and compete for prize money. In addition, they offered incentives such as travel expenses and entry fees to attract more players to the tour.
The first season of the PGA Tour began in January 1930. It included a total of 10 tournaments, spread out over the course of the year. Some of the participants included legends such as Bobby Jones, Walter Hagen, and Gene Sarazen. These players quickly became household names, and their success helped to further promote the tour.
A Timeline of the PGA Tour’s Formation
The PGA Tour has grown significantly since its founding in 1929. Here is a brief timeline of the key milestones in the Tour’s history:
- 1929 – The Professional Golfers’ Association Tour is founded by the PGA of America.
- 1930 – The first season of the Tour begins with 10 tournaments.
- 1933 – The PGA Championship is established as an official event on the Tour.
- 1937 – The Masters Tournament is added to the Tour schedule.
- 1946 – The Ryder Cup is held for the first time.
- 1968 – The PGA Tour is officially renamed the “PGA Tour”.
- 1977 – The Senior PGA Tour is created for players over the age of 50.
- 1984 – The Buy.com Tour is established as an official developmental tour.
- 2007 – The PGA Tour is rebranded as the “PGA Tour” and a new logo is introduced.
- 2009 – The FedEx Cup is established as the Tour’s season-long points competition.
Conclusion
The PGA Tour has come a long way since its founding in 1929. From the early days of just 10 tournaments to the modern era of the FedEx Cup, the Tour has grown into one of the most prestigious sports organizations in the world. Its success is due in large part to the hard work and dedication of the founding fathers, who worked tirelessly to create a tour that would bring professional golf to the masses.
The PGA Tour has become a global phenomenon, with tournaments taking place all over the world. It is a testament to the vision of the founding fathers, who saw the potential of professional golf and set out to make it a reality.
(Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? Do you have knowledge or insights to share? Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.)