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New 2021 PGA Championship Director heading to Kiawah Island

Staff //September 8, 2020//

New 2021 PGA Championship Director heading to Kiawah Island

Staff //September 8, 2020//

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OglePGA of America has a new director for the 2021 PGA Championship, which will return to The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort on May 17.

Ryan Ogle, who joined PGA of America eight years ago as an intern, will replace Scott Reid, who departed as championship director in July to pursue a sports and lifestyle marketing job, the PGA said.

Ogle said he plans to keep Kiawah Island and the region at the forefront of his decisions regarding the 2021 tournament, to amplify its support of the regional economy. In 2012 when the PGA Championship was previously held on Kiawah Island, its economic impact was $193 million. Ogle said he expects that number to rise to over $200 million in 2021.

“It’s important to the PGA to bring value to our host cities,” PGA of America Chief Championships Officer Kerry Haigh said in a statement. “This opportunity increases our ability to deliver economic impact and an outstanding experience through our championship operations.”

Prior to his appointment, Ogle, an Oklahoma native, was the youngest director of a major PGA championship in nearly 30 years when he took up the mantle for the 2016 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, held in Michigan. He served as director of the senior golf event again in 2018 and 2020.

David Charles, PGA of America’s senior director of championships, said he was glad to see Ogle’s momentum come to Kiawah Island.

“Ryan’s experience and expertise are ideal fits for not only our PGA Championship team already in place, but for our partners at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort,” he said.

Ogle’s transition will be swift as he relocates from Michigan to Kiawah next week and officially starts his new role on Monday. While directors are typically named 2 1/2 years in advance of a tournament, Ogle has eight months to prepare.

On site, Ogle will oversee a team that focuses on the event’s operations, volunteers, corporate hospitality and partnerships. He will then be at the helm of the overall event, its strategic direction, external relationships and site relations.

“We can’t speculate on what the environment will be like come May, but we are planning to put on another amazing major championship and to welcome fans back to the PGA,” Ogle said. “We’re working with the necessary local and state health officials to make sure we’re doing it in a proper manner, and we’ll adjust and adapt as we can.”

In addition to his directorial roles, Ogle said he is eager to work with the surrounding community and businesses, especially through PGA VendorMatch, a program that matches minority-owned suppliers to provide sourcing in support of the PGA Championship and Ryder Cup.

“I’m very fortunate that Scott and the strong team that’s currently in place at Kiawah have done such a great job when you look at all of our success to date,” Ogle said. “It’s my job to come in and support them, support (Kiawah Island Golf Resort President) Roger Warren and the resort, and just make sure that I keep the train on the tracks.”

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