Less than two weeks out from the PGA of America’s major championship, CEO Pete Bevacqua announced on Tuesday that he would be leaving the organization to become the President of NBC Sports Group.
Big move for Pete Bevacqua. Will be PGA of America chief executive at PGA Championship, and NBC Sports Group president during Ryder Cup. Plans to leave PGA day after St. Louis.
— Doug Ferguson (@dougferguson405) July 24, 2018
“The opportunity to join NBC Sports Group, and the larger company of Comcast NBC Universal, which holds media rights to the world’s biggest events and an incredible assortment of assets, was too good to be true,” Bevacqua said in a release. “I am also deeply grateful to the membership, leadership and staff at the PGA of America.
“Personally and professionally, for me and my family, these have been the best six years of my life. Leading the PGA of America and the 29,000 PGA golf professionals will always mean a great deal to me.”
Some of Bevacqua’s accolades during his six-year tenure at the PGA include creating the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and orchestrating a right deal with his soon-to-be employer, NBC, for the Ryder Cup, Senior PGA and PGA Professionals Championship through 2030. He was also crucial in the move of the PGA Championship from its traditional August date to its new place on the calendar in May.
“We are grateful to Pete for his nearly six years of visionary leadership,” PGA president Paul Levy said. “Under Pete’s guidance, we advanced our mission to grow the game and serve our members in many ways. With the PGA of America well-positioned for continued success, Pete departs with our gratitude and best wishes for continued success in this new chapter at NBC Sports.”
Bevacqua will begin his new post following next month’s PGA Championship and work under chairman Mark Lazarus.
“With the expansion of NBC Sports Group over the last seven years, and our continuing investments in new and existing businesses, adding Pete to our already strong management team will help us organize for future growth,” Lazarus said. “We are thrilled to have someone with his experience and reputation join our organization.”
