Michigan Golf Journal December 2020

5 December 2020 www.michigangolfjournal.com PGA Championship, KPMG Women’s Championship and Sr. PGA Championship. • Leadership decision roles in what the PGA offers its 29,000 members and associates nationwide, any golf programs sponsored by the PGA, including PGA Jr. League, PGA HOPE and so much more. Lindert said the system sets up so that the election for Secretary of the PGA of America is the most contested election, with the membership voting for the winner to serve two years – then typically the Secretary is elevated to VP for 2 years then President for 2 more… and then serves an additional two years as honorary president. He began at the local Chapter level several years ago, then eventually became the Michigan PGA Section president. That translated into District 5 Director (multiple states; 2016-18), which put him on the PGA of America’s Board, before he ran for national office. “Never in my wildest dreams was this a plan or process, it just naturally and organically progressed,” Lindert said. Lindert is pleased with some particular accomplishments by the PGA of America in just the two years he’s been Secretary. The most recent being on-the-fly changes forged by Covid-19. “In my opinion, that really highlighted what we were able to really do and accomplish,” he said. “How quickly we were able to adapt to the changing environment, because the PGA had always been described to me as a large ship that turned very slowly, and we were forced to make some drastic changes very quickly.” He cited the PGA’s role in helping create the ‘Back to Golf’ plan for people and businesses to re-enter the sport in a responsible manner after Covid-19 shutdowns. Maybe his most proud efforts went into the ‘Golf Emergency Relief Fund.’ Lindert described it as a national fund for all people within the golf industry, not just PGA members. He said it has financially helped workers at the LPGA and PGA Tours, Korn Ferry Tour – plus Golf Course Continues on next page >>