Three Years of the PGA 'At Home' in Frisco
As it prepares to host another major, the PGA of America "feels at home" almost three years after moving its headquarters to North Texas
When the PGA of America opened its headquarters in Frisco, Texas, in August 2022, it immediately had high expectations. Not only was it debuting a state-of-the-art new campus beyond imagination, but it was joining an already prestigious and continuously growing sports market in DFW.
In many markets, a sports entity of this stature infringing on the turf of local teams and institutions might've been seen as a threat. Yet, early support from those organizations, along with the city and the community, has helped the PGA turn its vision into a successful home base in North Texas.
"It seemed like all the businesses of Dallas were here, welcoming us to the neighborhood,” Don Rea Jr., President of the PGA of America, said during a media kickoff event for the KPMG Women’s Championship. “I felt like Jerry Jones had a crock pot full of stew and was bringing it over, saying, 'Hey, welcome to the neighborhood!’ ... Sometimes, you can live somewhere but never feel like a part of it. Certainly, three years ago, we felt that [we were]."
At the center of that relationship is a shared vision to grow the game of golf. A big component of that vision is highlighting various levels of golf championships, and the PGA of America has welcomed several to the area since it opened its doors.
"I think this is what we wanted to do," Rea Jr. added. "It was really important for us to bring our championships here. ... The relationship with the city was first and foremost — having that public support, knowing that we were going to serve the community just like they wanted to.”
The KPMG Women's PGA Championship, the second-oldest women's golf major, will be the next high-profile golf event hosted at the Frisco headquarters this weekend. As part of its enhanced initiatives to grow the game of golf, the PGA of America and the LPGA have begun moving the event to venues around the country.
"I think it's very important," defending KPMG Women's champ Amy Yang said when asked about playing the tournament at different locations. "I think it attracts more fans. I think they love to see how professionals play those courses, so I think it's a great idea to go to different courses every year."
This will be the first time the KPMG Women's Championship is held in the state of Texas, and Frisco's Fields Ranch East golf course, located at the PGA headquarters, gets the honor.
"We'll all get to be a part of history," Ashley Miller, the event’s general chair, said. "... It's just a huge opportunity. I’m so proud of the city of Frisco. I know we’re going to put our best foot forward."
That history might not have been possible without the relationships the PGA has built with the city of Frisco and its community.
"You've got this unique relationship -- a public-private partnership -- all of us just trying to grow the game of golf and feature it at the highest level with the championships that we've secured here, but also some things that [don't] get talked about [as often],” Rea explained. “... I don't think we could've pulled it off any place else. There's nothing like Frisco. They make you feel at home. We've felt at home for the last three years."