PALM BEACH GARDENS, Florida (Feb. 5, 2021) – PGA Master Professional Cathy Harbin, Owner of Pine Ridge Golf Course in Paris, Texas and Founder of OnCourse Operations, has joined the PGA Board of Directors as the second-ever At-Large Director.
Harbin follows PGA Hall of Fame Member Renee Powell, who fulfilled her term. Harbin will co-chair committees designed to help grow the game, including Adult Player Development and A Place to Play.
A PGA Member since 1992, Harbin is also a member of the LPGA and Club Management Association of America (CMAA) and Secretary of the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA). With more than 30 years of experience as an operator in the golf business, including 12 years managing the World Golf Village golf courses, Harbin has perfected training and operational systems that create both a consistent world-class experience and sustainable profits.
As an Executive Director of Golf 20/20 for three years, Harbin helped drive the World Golf Foundation’s mission to increase awareness and participation in the game. She led the successful launch of Get Golf Ready, a national instruction program.
“Cathy Harbin is widely recognized as a leader in the golf industry,” said PGA President Jim Richerson. “As an Executive, Owner, Operator and PGA Master Professional, her vast knowledge of both the game and business of golf will be invaluable to the PGA of America Board of Directors as she serves as our second-ever At-Large Director. We’re delighted to have her onboard to help us further our focus on the success of the PGA Member and the game of golf.”
Harbin previously served as Vice President of Public Golf, Golf Academy and Programming for ClubCorp in Dallas, where she provided operational experience to drive rounds and revenue at more than 200 clubs. She also led a culture shift, as programming and golf instruction became key engagement activities.
In addition to receiving numerous PGA Section and Chapter awards, Golf Inc. named Harbin as one of the Most Admired Golf Course Operators; Golf News named her as Woman of the Year; and United Athletes Foundation named her Athlete of the Year. The Florida Times-Union named Harbin one of the 7 Most Powerful Women in Sports, while the Jacksonville Business Journal recognized her as a Woman of Influence.
“Stepping into a role on the PGA Board of Directors is both rewarding and humbling,” said Harbin. “I am aware of the great responsibility to my fellow PGA Professionals and to the future of the game of golf. I am excited to put my heart, energy and experience to work on that responsibility. And following behind Renee Powell in this position motivates me even more to continue her great work.”
Harbin has been inducted into three Halls of Fame, including the North Florida PGA Section, Florida First Coast of Golf and Brown County High School Athletics. She also has served on several national committees and been involved with the LPGA Amateur Golf Association (formerly the Executive Women’s Golf Association) since 1991.
She is a graduate of Indiana State University, where Harbin was a member of the golf team and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management.
The PGA Board of Directors is composed of the Association’s President, Vice President, Secretary and 19 Directors. The Directors include representatives from each of the PGA’s 14 Districts, an At-Large Director, three Independent Directors and a member of the PGA Tour. New District Directors are elected by their local PGA Sections.
