Meet the team - Wayne Johnson (Regional Manager (International)

After over 30 years spent coaching and running golf operations at numerous top-flight facilities around the world, Wayne Johnson is returning to his roots in Cumbria following his recent appointment as PGA International Manager, a role in which he his looking forward to enhancing the career opportunities of PGA members both in the UK and abroad.

What’s your background in golf?

I first joined the PGA in 1983. After graduating I initially worked in the UK but moved out to Portugal in 1992 to take on the role as Director of Golf at Pinheiros Altos. Since then, I’ve had spells in Austria, the US (where I was Director of Instruction for the Butch Harmon School of Golf in Las Vegas and the Bahamas), Dubai (Director of Instruction at the European Tour Performance Institute), and Portugal (Monte Rei). In 2015, I moved out to Vietnam to take on the Director of Operations position at the Els Performance Golf Academy in Hanoi. After three years there I moved back to Dubai in 2018 as Tournament Director at the MENA Tour, a job which I left in July. As you can see, it’s been a pretty varied career with a chance to experience lots of different cultures.

What made you apply for the role of PGA International Manager?

A desire to bring my experiences and international background to work in benefiting and supporting the overseas members, improving member benefits and engagement.

Describe your role?

To ensure the association is fully and effectively engaged with and supporting its existing members and students based outside of the UK & Ireland. To lead PGA activity for members and students working overseas; being a single point of contact for all overseas members and those with aspirations to work internationally, develop strong industry relations and provide support and direction to our global PGA membership.

How many International Members are there in the PGA and how many different countries are represented?

We currently have close to 1,500 PGA members based internationally, covering 75 countries around the world, with Germany having the most overseas PGA members (248), followed by the United States (164) and United Arab Emirates with (122). The overseas membership forms the largest region within the PGA of GB & I.

What are the main challenges of keeping overseas members feeling like they are part of the PGA?

Engagement, making sure to create more communication opportunities through email, phone calls and international member meetings which will be a main focus in the coming months and years ahead.

Providing enhanced support and member benefits, creating a clear pathway for members to progress and grow within the association; promoting the PGA member and their specific skill sets, promoting their knowledge, experience & the expertise they possess to International Golf Federations and governing bodies, building on the legacy of the PGA.

What’s the best part of your job?

Meeting and discussing the international golf scene with many of our overseas colleagues, getting a better understanding of their needs and how to support them more effectively.

What does the PGA mean to you and how important has it been in your career development?

The PGA has an incredible history and unique background within the world of golf, so to be a part of that legacy is extremely special, and something about which I feel very proud to be connected with.

Born: Bridlington, Yorkshire. England
Lives: Lake District, England
First Job: Assistant Professional, Windermere Golf Club
Home Golf Club: Carus Green
Favourite golf course: Sunningdale Old
Most memorable round: Playing Cypress Point with Butch Harmon and Adam Scott
Favourite football team: Leeds United
Favourite meal: Sushi

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