Troon executive Jim Richerson sworn in as president of PGA of America

PGA of America President Jim Richerson. (Headshot courtesy of Troon)

Troon Senior Vice President of Operations Jim Richerson was sworn in as the 42nd president of the PGA of America.

The 32-year golf industry veteran will serve a two-year term representing 29,000 PGA Professionals & Associates in leading the PGA of America, the world’s largest sports organization.

Richerson was elected and sworn in as president as part of the PGA of America’s 104th annual meeting, which took place virtually. He had just completed a two-year term as vice president of the PGA of America and replaces outgoing President Suzy Whaley, PGA.

“I’m very humbled and honored to be elected as the Association’s next president,” Richerson said. “My focus will be to better engage our members and work with our 41 PGA Sections to ensure that PGA Professionals have the tools and resources needed to continue leading this great game – every day and in every way.”

Richerson has been with Troon since 2017 in the role of senior vice president operations. He is part of the team responsible for growing and operating Troon’s portfolio of managed facilities throughout the company’s related brands. Prior to joining Troon, Richerson served as Kohler Co.’s General Manager and Director of Golf for more than 11 years, overseeing operations at Whistling Straits & Blackwolf Run in Wisconsin and The Duke’s Course in St. Andrews, Scotland. He played an integral role for the Kohler Properties in conducting four major golf championships serving as an executive committee member for the 2007 U.S. Senior Open; the 2010 PGA Championship; the 2012 U.S. Women’s Open, where he also served as the general chair; and the 2015 PGA Championship. Richerson spent the first 18 years of his career affiliated with the Marriott and Ritz-Carlton Hotel & Golf Corporation, holding various executive and management positions at golf properties in six states.

Elected to PGA membership in 1995, Richerson has received numerous Association awards, including the 2013 and 2016 Wisconsin PGA Golf Professional of the Year; the Wisconsin PGA Section’s 2011 Horton Smith Award winner for outstanding and continuing contributions in developing and improving education opportunities; and the Wisconsin PGA Section’s 2012 Bill Strausbaugh Award winner for mentoring fellow PGA Professionals.

Richerson, wife Kristi and their daughter Mary-Claire reside in Scottsdale, Ariz., where he is based in Troon’s Scottsdale headquarters.