Leadership Team
John Easterbrook Jr., PGA
Chief Membership Officer
The PGA of America
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
John Easterbrook Jr., PGA, joined the PGA of America in January 2017 as the Association’s first Chief Membership Officer. He directs the core PGA Member-focused areas of the Association—including PGA Career Services, Education, Member Services and Section Business Operations. In addition, he oversees PGA Golf Properties, which includes PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida; and Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.
He also briefly served as Interim CEO before Seth Waugh was named CEO of the PGA of America in September 2018.
A more than 30-year member of the PGA, Easterbrook delivers a critically important perspective to the PGA of America’s leadership team, focused on creating enhanced career opportunities for the PGA’s Membership and to develop PGA Professionals worldwide.
For 20 years, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Troon, the largest third-party management company in the world. Easterbrook was responsible for the day-to-day operations of a vast global business that included more than 15,000 associates (including more than 450 PGA Professionals) at 280 courses in 33 countries and 37 states. In addition, he was instrumental in the growth of the company’s portfolio and oversaw the development of Troon’s operating standards and financial benchmarking. As a member of the senior executive committee, Easterbrook also directed field operations, sales and marketing. Prior to Troon, Easterbrook served in executive roles in the golf divisions at Hyatt Hotels and Marriott International.
The grandson of a PGA Professional and the son of a college football coach, Easterbrook earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Wyoming, where he played on the golf team.
Easterbrook and his wife, Lori, have three daughters: Alexandra, Kelsey and Morgan.
Scott Kmiec, PGA
Senior Director
PGA Career Services
Scott Kmiec serves as the PGA of America’s Senior Director of Career Services, the organization’s largest department. Kmiec and two Regional Directors oversee a field staff of 18 Career Consultants providing resources and support to golf industry employers and professionals. He has been a PGA of America employee since 2013, starting as the Association’s first PGA REACH, Senior Director responsible for supervision of the PGA’s charitable foundation. Kmiec oversaw the programming, funding and strategic direction of the Foundation and its three key pillars; YOUTH, MILITARY, and DIVERSITY/INCLUSION until taking on his current role in Career Services in September of 2016.
Kmiec is a PGA of America “lifer” having spent 19 years with the PGA of America’s New Jersey Section prior to transitioning into his current role. The Rutgers graduate and former baseball team captain began his career as a collegiate intern with the New Jersey PGA in January of 1995. He quickly ascended to the role of Executive Director and was responsible for the operations of the Section activities including the NJPGA’s successful Tournament program–Junior Tour–and Employment/Club Relations activities. During his tenure, the New Jersey Section enjoyed significant growth in membership, sponsorship, and community engagement, the highlight being the creation of the NJPGA’s charitable arm, the NJ Golf Foundation.
Under Kmiec’ s management, the NJ Golf Foundation became a respected leader in the New Jersey golf community providing outreach programs for introduction to the sport for youth, women, and military veterans. The NJGF’s signature “Golf in Schools” initiative had grown to over 150 schools and 100,000 youth under his leadership and expanded the reach of the sport to locations across the state. The NJGF also partnered with Plainfield Country Club on a successful educational initiative called “The Path to College program,” which provided underserved families with scholarships, SAT preparation, college visits and counseling for their children to attain higher education.
In 2012, the New Jersey PGA was honored by the PGA of America with the “Herb Graffis” award, which is presented annually to a PGA Section for its efforts in Player Development. Similarly the efforts put forth by Kmiec and his long-tenured team led the NJPGA to be announced as the 2014 recipient of the Metropolitan Golf Association’s Distinguished Service award. Kmiec was individually honored by the NJPGA and NJSGA in 2015 when he was named the NJ Golf Distinguished Service award winner.
Michael G. Leemhuis
M.A. Ed., CCM, CCE, PGA Master Professional
Michael was born in South Africa where he began his initial education. After graduating from Pretoria Boys High School, he studied at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg where he graduated with a teaching diploma in Physical Education and History.
Michael began his teaching career in South Africa at the renowned King Edward VII School where he taught PE and History. Michael’s desire for education led him to the United States, where he continued his studies at UCLA. This experience is what drove him to complete his Master’s degree at East Carolina University. He then began his lifetime goal of pursuing a career in the Sports industry.
During the duration of his career, he has gained experience in a wide array of industries including hotel and resort management, stadium management, athlete representation, event management, retail, and private club management to name a few. He is also no stranger to hosting major sporting events having been involved in the 2011 U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club, a USTA Tennis event at Sun City, 8 PGA Tour events, and multiple ultra-distance marathon and triathlon races.
Michael’s extensive leadership and sports experience were achieved during his roles as the President of the Ocean Reef Club, CEO of Congressional Country Club, President of the Club Managers Association of America, GM/Director of Golf at the PGA Tour, General Manager, Sports and Recreation at Sun City Resort, Tournament Director of the Nedbank Million Dollar Golf Challenge, COO of Ellis Park Stadium and MD of Sports International. A notable career highlight was guiding Congressional Country Club and Ocean Reef Club to the #1 and #2 spots in the Platinum Clubs of America and also into the top 100 of Platinum Clubs in the world.
Michael believes that education combined with certification is the cornerstone of success in business and in life. He is a CMAA Certified Club Manager (CCM) and Certified Chief Executive (CCE), as well as a certified PGA of America Professional and PGA of South Africa Master Professional. In 2011, Michael was recognized as the CMAA Club Manager of the Year for his dedication and commitment to the club industry and in 2013 he was presented the Boardroom Magazine Leadership Award. In 2019, Michael was recognized by CMAA as one of the 10 “Fellows” in their inaugural class.
As an avid sportsman himself, Michael has completed the grueling Hawaii Ironman Triathlon, twice. As well as numerous other ultra-triathlons, two ultra-marathons and 40 marathons. His other passions include fishing, photography, traveling, reading and a good glass of wine. He has shared his passions with his wife Dale of 37 years and together they have two wonderful sons, Matthew and Joshua. He and Dale currently reside in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.