What year was the PGA of America founded?

The PGA of America was founded in 1916. The organization was formally established on April 10 that year at the Hotel Martinique in New York City, creating a national body for golf professionals in the United States.

The idea gained momentum at a January 17, 1916, luncheon hosted by businessman Rodman Wanamaker at his New York department store. Golf professional Tom McNamara helped persuade Wanamaker that American professionals needed an organization to represent their interests and promote professional tournaments.

Wanamaker also offered a trophy and prize money for a national match-play championship. That tournament became the PGA Championship, and its trophy is still known as the Wanamaker Trophy. The inaugural championship took place later in 1916 at Siwanoy Country Club in New York, where Jim Barnes defeated the field.

The PGA of America and the PGA Tour are related but separate organizations. The PGA Tour became independent in 1968, while the PGA of America continued representing club professionals and running events such as the PGA Championship.