Western Chapter President
Sean Mullen, PGA
Head Professional at Georgetown Country Club
Election Center
See below for the 2026-2027 Election Process for the 2027-2028 STPGA Board of Directors and Officers (approved at the March 24, 2026 Board Meeting).
Current Status:
Candidate Declarations Open
As a member-based organization, serving on the Board of Directors is one of the most rewarding experiences that a PGA Member can participate in. From networking to leading the organization, to giving back to the next generation of PGA Professionals, the stronger our Board of Directors is, the stronger our organization becomes!
This outline is designed to inform the membership about the process, answer questions, provide information about the candidates, and dive into specifics around what it means to serve on the Board of Directors and the election process.
Election Snapshot
Open Positions
7 positions open for election at Chapter or Annual Meetings
Who Can Run
All eligible STPGA Members are encouraged to run
How to Declare
Submit a Letter of Intent and candidate materials in January.
When Voting Happens
Chapter elections in Nov/Dec.
Annual Meeting election in Feb.
Open Positions
These are the following positions that will be open for elections either at a Chapter Meeting or Annual Meeting. This assumes that all people are ‘promoted’ to the higher position (Example – Vice President becomes President):
STPGA Secretary
Election Meeting: Education Summit & Annual Meeting
Voters: All STPGA Members
Summary: Official recorder and keeper of Section minutes and membership matters
At-Large Director (3 Positions)
Election Meeting: Education Summit & Annual Meeting
Voters: All STPGA Members
Summary: Help guide Section strategy and initiatives across all member interests.
Eastern Chapter Vice President
Election Meeting: Eastern Chapter Meeting (November 30, 2026)
Voters: Eastern Chapter Members
Summary: Supports the Chapter President and represents the Chapter on the Board
Western Chapter Vice President
Election Meeting: Western Chapter Meeting (December 8, 2026)
Voters: Western Chapter Members
Summary: Supports the Chapter President and represents the Chapter on the Board
Important Dates & Deadlines
Chapter Elections
Eastern Chapter Meeting (November 30, 2026)
Western Chapter Meeting (December 7, 2026)
Candidate Materials Due
January 2027
Letters, videos, & flyers due before deadlines
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
February 10, 2027
Requests must be received by this date.
Annual Meeting Election
February 2027
Election held during the Annual Meeting.
How to Run for Office
All eligible members have two ways to inform the membership that they are running for a position.
- Write a letter to Secretary Ricky Lyons stating your intention to run and for what position. This letter will be posted on this page for all Members to see.
- During the applicable meeting, have a member from the floor nominate you for your desired position.
It is strongly recommended that all members who want to run determine their intentions prior to the meeting to receive all the promotional benefits listed below.
Declared Candidates
Eastern Chapter President
Steve Watts, PGA
Director of Golf at BlueJack National
Voting Information
- Voting at both the Chapter and Section levels will continue to take place in person by paper ballot. The President, who is running the meeting, will determine who will count the ballots.
- A PGA Member may request an absentee ballot for the election of Secretary only if they are not able to make the Annual Meeting. This process will be the following:
- In 2 weekly newsletters in January, the STPGA will include a specific link for people to fill out requesting an absentee ballot.
- The absentee ballot request form will be on the Education Summit and Annual Meeting page on STPGA.com starting in January.
- All requests for an Absentee Ballot must be made on or before February 10, 2027.
- On February 11, STPGA staff will ensure that everyone who filled out the request form is NOT signed up for the event.
- On February 11 at 4 p.m., the absentee ballot will be emailed to the individuals who requested one. They will have until Friday, February 12, at 4 p.m. to fill it out.
- STPGA Staff will hold these ballots and provide them to the committee in charge of the votes on Monday, February 15.
Board Service & Time Commitment
- The STPGA Board of Directors has between 4 and 5 in-person board meetings on an annual basis. These meetings are pre-determined by the President for an entire calendar year. The cadence of these meetings falls around the following time.
- February – Day prior to the Annual Meeting
- March – Q1 Board Meeting
- Week after July 4th – Q2 Board Meeting
- Sunday Prior to Section Championship
- December YE Board Meeting
- Committees and responsibilities for each board member will be determined by the new President and communicated during the first board meeting.
- The Executive Director sends semi-monthly updates to keep up with section items and overall business operations.
- The Board of Directors oversees the overall vision for the association and then gives direction to the staff. Attending Board Meetings is the #1 priority when serving on the Board.
Promotional Opportunities
Secretary Position
- In December, candidates for Secretary may create a 5-minute video talking about their platform and why they are running. This would be posted online and sent to the membership in January. The STPGA staff may film this video at the STPGA office.
- The candidate may provide 1 promotional flyer to each person in attendance at the Annual Meeting that is no bigger than 8.5X11 in size. The section may print if given 3 days’ notice prior to the meeting.
- All candidates who announce they are running prior to the meeting may write a letter to the membership that the STPGA posts online and sends via email. The letter must be received 5 days prior to the meeting to be sent.
At-Large Positions
- All candidates who announce they are running prior to the meeting may write a letter to the membership that the STPGA posts online and sends via email. The letter must be received 5 days prior to the meeting in order to be sent.
- The candidate may provide 1 promotional flyer to each person in attendance that is no bigger than 8.5X11 in size. The section may print if given 3 days’ notice prior to the meeting.
Chapter Positions
- The candidate may provide 1 promotional flyer to each person in attendance that is no bigger than 8.5X11 in size. The section may print if given 3 days’ notice prior to the meeting.
- All candidates who announce they are running prior to the meeting may write a letter to the membership that the STPGA posts online and sends via email. The letter must be received 5 days prior to the meeting in order to be sent.
Speaking Opportunities
Secretary Position
- If a Secretary candidate has declared they are running prior to the Chapter Meetings, candidates will be given a 5-minute speaking opportunity at the Chapter Meetings, even though the election isn’t taking place at these meetings.
- All candidates for Secretary may attend the board meeting prior to the Annual Meeting on Sunday afternoon. During this meeting, each candidate will be given 5 minutes to speak to the Board of Directors. AV equipment will be TBD.
- During the annual meeting, all Secretary candidates will each be given a 7-minute period. to make a presentation to the general membership. The specific time during the event for which speeches will take place is TBD.
At-Large Positions
- During the annual meeting, all At-Large candidates will each be given a 5-minute period to make a presentation to the general membership. The specific time during the event for which speeches will take place is TBD.
Chapter Positions
- At the chapter meeting, the candidate will be allowed to make a 5-minute presentation about his or her platform.
Miscellaneous Items
- All orders of speeches will be random and determined onsite during each meeting/event.
- All candidates for Secretary will be invited to the Legacy Dinner on Sunday night prior to the Annual Meeting. At Large Candidates will not be invited to the Legacy Dinner.
- It is the President’s decision to invite incoming Chapter Officers to both the Board Meeting and Legacy Dinner on Sunday, prior to the Annual Meeting.
- Please note that while the Chapter elections take place in December, they are not sworn in until the end of the Annual Meeting in February.
