Eshleman Elected Vice President of PGA of America

Eric Eshleman, director of golf at the Country Club of Birmingham, was chosen as vice president at the association's 110th annual meeting in Las Vegas.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Golf

Eric Eshleman was elected vice president of the PGA of America, and Nathan Charnes was elected 45th president at the association's 110th annual meeting in Las Vegas. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Delegates elected Eric Eshleman vice president of the PGA of America, and Nathan Charnes was elected 45th president at the association's 110th annual meeting in Las Vegas. Jared Barnes, head golf professional at Cedar Ridge Golf Course in Cedar City, Utah, was elected secretary.

Why it matters

The PGA of America represents more than 30,000 golf professionals, and its officers serve two-year terms that shape the association's direction. The vote follows the board's suspension of former president Rea in May, after criticism of his handling of fan behavior at the 2025 Ryder Cup.

Eshleman has been a PGA of America member for nearly 30 years and was named director of golf at the Country Club of Birmingham in 2006, after five years as its director of instruction. He received the association's Golf Professional of the Year Award in 2019 and served as District 3 director from 2021 to 2024.

The players

PGA of America

The PGA of America is a professional association representing more than 30,000 golf professionals across the United States.

Nathan Charnes

Charnes is general manager of WingHaven Country Club in O'Fallon, Missouri, and was elected the association's 45th president.

Eric Eshleman

Eshleman is director of golf at the Country Club of Birmingham and has taught several PGA Tour players, including Graeme McDowell and Paul Dunne.

The details

Eshleman has taught PGA Tour players Graeme McDowell, Patton Kizzire and Paul Dunne, as well as former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Charnes, general manager of WingHaven Country Club in O'Fallon, Missouri, was named acting president in May after Rea's suspension, with Eshleman named acting vice president at the same time.

November 2024: Eshleman began serving as secretary of the PGA of America.
May 2026: The board suspended Rea for the remainder of his term; Charnes and Eshleman were named acting officers.
November 6, 2026: Delegates elected Eshleman vice president and Charnes 45th president at the annual meeting.

Season Trajectory

The leadership change comes after Rea's suspension over his handling of fan behavior at the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. The new officers will guide the association through the aftermath of that controversy.

The new officers take two-year terms, which sets the association's leadership through the next cycle of PGA of America programs. Recreational golfers and club members may see changes in PGA-sponsored events as the new leadership takes shape.

The takeaway

Leadership at the PGA of America shapes its programs for more than 30,000 professionals, so the officers' choices carry weight for the game's teaching and tournament community.