[PHOTO: Slaven Vlasic]

The PGA Tour informed player agents and managers that it is implementing fees and accreditation to receive credentials for next season. In a letter dated September 30, chief competitions officer Tyler Dennis announced the Agent Certification Program, which will establish “specific guidelines, standards, and procedures to safeguard the membership, their management teams, tournaments, and the PGA Tour”.

To pass the program, agents and managers must complete the following:

-Complete Integrity Program (interactive video)
-Complete PGA Tour Agent/Manager Education Modules (interactive video)
-Submit an annual online credential application
-Accept the new PGA Tour Manager Credential Application Terms and Conditions and Code of Conduct
-Confirm player association through the Player Membership application
-Pay an annual non-refundable fee: $US1,500 application fee per agency, $US500 plus tax for each player agent/manager credential (Clubhouse, Locker Room, Practice Area, Media Centre and Player Family Dining) or $US375 plus tax for each player manager support credential (Clubhouse only)

“This structured approach ensures that all PGA Tour Certified Agents and Managers meet standards of professionalism and are fully supported in their roles,” Dennis wrote. “Many of you who work across other sports leagues are likely familiar with similar requirements. Agents and managers that do not complete this process will be asked to purchase weekly tournament tickets through the respective tournament they wish to attend, will not have access to restricted areas and will not have access to PGA Tour resources like LINKS.”

There are other professional sports leagues in the Unites States with similar programs in place, although the DP World Tour and LIV Golf do not.

The changes come in wake of several management agencies being accused of funnelling their talent to LIV Golf in exchange for cuts of the players’ signing bonuses.