PGA’S CEO: Tiger ‘can’t come back soon enough’

By Chris Onorato

ALBANY – The biggest name dominating the sport of golf in the Capital Area, or anywhere else for that matter, is still Tiger Woods.

Nearly a month after Woods’ first public statement, Joe Steranka, the PGA of America’s CEO, was in Albany for a meeting regarding the Economy of Golf in New York State. We asked him about the world’s number one player. Specifically, about Woods’ words since the car accident the Friday after Thanksgiving which uncovered some dirty details of his personal life and about when Steranka thought Woods might return to the game.

“I was pleased to hear him talk about his love of the game of golf and coming back and playing this year,” Steranka said. “I don’t know when he’s going to come back, but I’m like every other fan out there; he can’t come back soon enough.”

Steranka, 51, has been with the PGA of America for 23 years. He began as Director of Communications in 1988 and is now in his fifth as CEO.

Part of his outreach is with a new industry government relations program “We Are Golf,” designed to achieve legislative and public affairs goals for a $76 billion annual industry.

“What’s important for the New York State Legislature to realize is that golf is a very efficient economic model,” Steranka said.

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