The leadership of the PGA Tour informed the agents that they will have to go through the official confirmation process in 2025.
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The line to the PGA Tour’s inner circle just got a little longer.
The PGA Tour will require players’ agents and managers to undergo a new certification process by 2025, according to the The Associated Pressformalizing the relationship between the players and their representation in the eyes of the tour.
Perhaps most notably, the new structure will require each agency to submit a $1,500 application fee, plus a $500 fee for each agent to gain access to the locker room, clubhouse, practice area, media center and family meals. Those who want to enter the clubhouse only will have to pay $375.
Agents were first informed of the changes earlier this week in a memo from PGA Tour chief tournament officer Tyler Dennis, who informed player representatives that participation in the program would be required to obtain a season certificate.
The decision brings the Tour into line with many other sports leagues, including the NFL, which require formal relationships between players and agents as a way to ensure transparency and protect players. Like Josh Carpenter of SBJ pointed out Friday, the Tour already uses a similar program for golf equipment company employees for similar reasons.
Although agents – especially those in smaller areas – are sure to complain about the cost of the new system, some of the system’s changes will certainly be welcomed by agents, who have been lobbying for years to expand access.
The new program comes as golf’s empowerment era has brought a thriving micro-economy of coaches, trainers and managers to the professional golf system. Those changes have only been exacerbated by LIV’s growth, which has seen some agents step back from “GM” roles for their players’ various franchises.
The new program will go into effect at the start of the 2025 season, scheduled for January 2-5 at The Sentry in Hawaii.
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