The PGA of America held its annual meeting in Indianapolis last week and took a historic step in electing a woman, Suzy Whaley, as Secretary.

The election is monumental in that Whaley is the first woman to ever be elected to one of the top administrative offices and she will be in line to become president of the PGA in 2018.

Derek Sprague, who was named Interim President, when Ted Bishop was dismissed last month, was elected to a full two-year term as president. Paul Levy was chosen as Vice-President and will be Sprague’s successor in 2016.

According to Gol.com, Sprague said of Whaley’s election,

"I think it's great to have a woman in a national leadership position because I think it opens the door for women in other leadership positions, It can only inspire other women to get into leadership positions."
 

Whaley has experience in being first. She was the first woman to qualify for a PGA Tour event by winning the 2002 Connecticut PGA Championship, which earned her a spot in the 2003 Greater Hartford Open.

Women have been gaining a toehold in the “old boys’ club,” The R&A voted In September to admit women members and Augusta National recently announced that it invited, IBM Chairwoman Virginia Rometty, as its third woman member.

All of the top spots in the major organizations in golf have long been held by men. Whaley’s selection gives women a voice in at the highest level in the golf world.

Whaley won the election over two male nominees, Russ Libbey and Michael Haywood.

She was quoted in Golf.com,

"It's an incredibly special day for me, my family, the Connecticut section and our members. Our association has a long-term strategic plan and I'm excited to part of implementing that plan. We have so many opportunities to bring diverse groups into the game, that's what I'm excited about."
 

The PGA of America has taken a huge step in promoting the acceptance of women into the top echelons of sports.

Suzy Whaley is certainly a deserving of this honor and her election places a woman at the top in one of the most powerful organizations in golf.