1932 Business Administrator Albert Gates voluntarily draws less than half of his salary due to economic conditions. George Jacobus becomes first American-born president of the PGA of America. Jacobus also is the first president of the Association to rise from the caddie ranks. An article by President Jacobus appears in every issue of The Professional Golfer of America magazine. Association creates an Unemployment Relief Committee as depression worsens.
Membership requires three-year apprenticeship.
Golf course architect A.W. Tillinghast is hired to provide PGA members with consulting service on design of their courses. More than 200 PGA members participate in matches against a visiting six-man team from Japan. 1936 Membership in the PGA of America grows to 1,800. Golf Promotion Bureau, fore-runner of National Golf Foundation, is started as a golf market development service by Herb and Joe Graffis, publishers of Golfdom . 1937 First PGA Seniors' Championship held at Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia.