Industry Veteran Bill Walker to Serve as IAGA Executive Director
The International Association of Golf Administrators (IAGA), the governing body of 100 golf associations representing 750 total staff, has appointed industry veteran Bill Walker as its executive director. Walker joins the IAGA from the Utah Golf Association (UGA) where he served as executive director for nearly seven years and oversaw the organization’s 115 member clubs and 27,000 individual members.
In his role, Walker will strive to increase the IAGA’s leadership position in the industry working collaboratively with allied associations, including the United States Golf Association and the PGA of America. He will also work with Club Managers Association of America, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and the National Golf Course Owners Association.
Walker will focus on developing IAGA membership through education and training programs to assist association leaders who manage the game and the golfer’s experience. He will also drive innovation, lead marketing and communications initiatives, establish business partnerships, corporate sponsorships and position the organization to better represent and advocate for member associations. Walker, who will begin his new role Dec. 18, will report to the IAGA’s president Craig Loughry and work closely with its board of directors.
“We are very pleased to have Bill join our team as Executive Director,” said Loughry. “If you look at his accomplishments and experience, it is easy to see why we chose him. Whether that be his strong contributions to membership, corporate partnerships or re-envisioning services or introducing new innovative programs and education programs, these are skills that will directly and immediately benefit the IAGA as we move forward.”
During his tenure at the UGA, Walker managed all aspects of the association including membership, handicapping, course rating and championships. Walker also played a key role in the implementation of new membership programs, which led to a 30 percent increase in association revenue. In addition, Walker assisted in the reformation of the Utah Golf Foundation as well as the establishment of the Golf Alliance for Utah.
Walker has an extensive background in golf administration that dates back to 1998 when he served as a USGA P.J. Boatwright Jr. Intern for the South Texas Amateur Golf Association (STAGA). Following his internship, he became the STAGA Director of Amateur Services where he was responsible for rules and competitions, course rating, membership programs and volunteer recruitment.
“I am very excited to serve as the IAGA executive director,” said Walker. “Over the past seven years, I have learned a great deal from my interactions with my fellow IAGA members. I look forward to receiving input from our members and developing programs and initiatives that will raise the IAGA’s profile and provide increased benefits for our members.”
In 2001, he was hired by the Houston Golf Association to lead one of the largest junior golf programs in the country with a membership base of more than 1,100 juniors competing in more than 80 events per season. Later, he added the responsibilities of administering the HGA Scholarship and Amateur Golf Programs.
Born in Pennsylvania, Walker played junior and collegiate golf in California and Texas. He and his wife, Lisa, and their three children reside in Holladay, Utah.
About the IAGA
The IAGA was formed in 1968 to promote and conserve the best interests and the true spirit of the game of golf as embodied in its ancient and honorable traditions. With those pursuits in mind, the IAGA serves as a medium for golf administrators to exchange information, techniques and other data relating to the game of golf and establish channels of communication among all of the world’s golfing fraternities.