The Middle Atlantic PGA A History of Organizational Development and Leadership By Harold C. Guy Over the course of ninety years the Middle Atlantic PGA emerged as one of the largest and most successful PGA of America Sections. From its leadership ranks, three men rose to the PGA of America Presidency, two to the Presidency of the Senior Association, two more became national VicePresidents, and another the central figure in educational and teaching programs at the national headquarters. There are pivotal years in the MAPGA’s history. First and foremost, when they organized in 1925. Additionally, how they survived the Great Depression and World War II; their growth during the 1950s and early 1960s, notably 1966; the integration of the Virginia Association of Golf Professionals as the Virginia Chapter in 1968; and the subsequent alignment into a three-chapter Section in 1988. In 1916 when the Professional Golfers’ Association of America formed, the organizing group laid out seven regional sections extending over the country: the Metropolitan, Middle States, New England, Central, Northwestern, Pacific and Southeastern. Three professional golfers with MAPGA credentials took part in the PGA of Americas’ formation. In his 1974 history of the PGA, Herb Graffis cited J. Crabb, the Congressional head professional in the 1920s; Tom Skipper, at one time the Suburban, Fountain Head, Rolling Road and Princess Anne head professional; and Fred McLeod from Columbia as significant figures in the PGA history. Crabb and Skipper attended the formative meetings in 1916. What is now territory associated with the MAPGA remained in the Southeastern Section from 1916 until the middle of 1925. Three regional professional golf associations emerged during the early to mid-1920s in what is now the Middle Atlantic PGA area. Leaders in these associations figured prominently in the formation of the MAPGA in March 1925. The Maryland State Professional Golfers’ Association (MSPGA), the District of Columbia Professional Golfers’ Association DCPGA) and a group in Norfolk, Virginia, believed 4
The Middle Atlantic PGA Chronicle - 2020
to be named the Tidewater Association, existed for a number of years during the 1920s. The first reference to a Baltimore based association appeared in an April, 1924, “Baltimore Sun” article. The “recently formed” association had named William “Willie” Scott, the Baltimore CC head professional, as President, and Glenn Spencer, Green Spring Valley head professional, as Secretary. They remained active through 1928. In an April 1924 meeting the DCPGA formed. The membership elected Fred McLeod their President, and Robert Barnett (Chevy Chase) and Leo Diegel (Friendship) as the First and Second Vice Presidents. A.F. Bergman, a sporting goods salesman and apparently the owner of “Spaldings” sporting goods store, became the Secretary. The DCPGA dissolved in 1927. Both of these organizations held championships. In 1924, newspaper articles about the first Virginia State Open referred to a professional golf association based in Norfolk. William Skelly, head professional at Hermitage at the time, met with that group and garnered their commitment to play in the newly created state “Open” tournament. The organizational meeting forming the Middle Atlantic PGA took place on March 2, 1925, at “Spalding’s” and Columbia Country Club. Members and leaders of the DCPGA and MSPGA along with some Virginians considered future affiliation with the PGA of America. The attendees named a committee of Wilfred Thomson (Hermitage), Robert Barnett (Chevy Chase) and Charles Betschler (Maryland CC) to organize the election of officers and lay the groundwork for a “Middle Atlantic Open Championship and the PGA Championship qualifying. The “founding” members attending the March 2nd meeting: Ronald Auchterlonie, CC of Virginia D’Arcy Banagan, Columbia
