South Florida PGA brings back a familiar face to lead the way
Golf in South Florida is positioned to rise to heights not seen since the booming 1980s. The number of rounds being played has increased by more than 25 percent, residential golf club communities are running out of houses to sell and several new private clubs are being built or on the drawing board. No question COVID-19 has played a role in this upswing, but the unique nature of the sport also has become a big reason, as well. This growth puts a lot of pressure on the South Florida PGA to guide the sport through these high times. When a leadership void was created after incoming president Scott Kirkwood took a job at Monterey Peninsula, the Section looked to a familiar face to step in: Don Meadows. Meadows, the director of golf at Quail Valley Golf Club in Vero Beach, was elected president of the section two weeks ago despite serving the role from 2017-19. It’s the first time a president has served multiple terms in the South Florida PGA, but Meadows didn’t hesitate when he was asked to serve again. “This is an important time for the South Florida PGA because of the heightened interest in golf,” said Geoff Lofstead, South Florida PGA’s executive director. “To have someone with Don’s experience is going to be tremendous because there are going to be some tough decisions along the way.” Even the South Florida PGA is on the move — its headquarters will soon be shifted to the West Palm Golf Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3
Park when that course is re-opened late next year. The expanded HQ will enable the section to maximize its impact through programs to grow the game as well as assisting juniors, veterans and others with disabilities. Meadows’ only concern was to get the approval of Quail Valley’s ownership team of Kevin Given and Kathy Mulvey to use some of his endless energy elsewhere. When they said yes, he was in. “Getting the blessing of Kevin and Mrs. Mulvey was important to me,” Meadows said Tuesday. “It was an easy decision to want to help the Section during this period of growth.” Meadows has been in the South Florida PGA’s boardroom since 2011, starting as awards committee chairman. He was elected Secretary in 2013, moved on to Vice President in 2015 and served as President from 2017 to 2019. He was honorary president the last two years. During Meadows’ tenure, the South Florida PGA Section has experienced tremendous growth. The annual budget has gone from $2.3 million to $4 million and the number of staff has almost doubled from seven to 13. The South Florida PGA’s headquarters will have been moved or expanded three times during his watch. Meadows downplays his role, but Lofstead politely disagrees. “Don leads by enabling others,” Lofstead said. “He’s about as good a thinker as I have ever been around. Anytime you have difficult decisions to make and you talk to Don, he has a way of coming to a
decision with a lot of thoughtfulness.” Golf has struggled to retain employees during recent years as courses were closing and participation was waning. The hours are long and the pay is not great. But a rising tide raises a lot of paychecks. “Golf looks a lot more attractive for a younger person to come into the game and the business,” Meadows said. “The biggest thing we can do as an organization is provide as many opportunities as possible, specifically, education for members. We want to provide more playing opportunities for junior golfers, the programs we offer and our own members. Personally, I thought the momentum was starting to grow in our sport before COVID. We had seen activity levels increase before the pandemic. COVID just highlighted it more with the nature of the game. People couldn’t go to movies or plays and they couldn’t travel. They started playing golf or a lot more golf.” The leadership team to succeed Meadows is in place, barring any late moves. Paul Clivio, director of golf at St. Andrews Country Club in Boca Raton, is Vice President, and Eric Veilleux, head professional at the Bear’s Club, is Secretary. “We have total faith in Geoff’s and Meredith’s (Schuler, assistant executive director) leadership,” Meadows said. “My role is to be a sounding board for them and to provide guidance and support.” Craig Dolch is a TCPalm.com correspondent with more than 30 years of golf writing experience. 41
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By Craig Dolch
