After two remarkable years as president of The PGA of America, Brian Whitcomb, PGA, brings his keen insight, skills and business knowledge from the perspective of a successful golf course business owner into his new role as PGA honorary president.

Elected in 2006, as the 35th PGA president, Whitcomb championed the growth of the PGA Professional through innovative means of communication that utilized the best of new and old media alike. He instigated popular face-to-face Town Hall Meetings with PGA members to bring to the forefront the importance of one-on-one communication. All the while, he elevated the PGA member by ensuring they were positioned as the recognized experts in the game and business of golf during a historic rebranding of The PGA.

Whitcomb steered the capital improvement program for Valhalla (Ky.) Golf Club, the host site of the dramatic 2008 Ryder Cup, as well as the restoration of at all three Championship golf courses at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

In 2008, he also guided the launch of the second-ever PGA Village in Coyote Springs, Nev., which opened a new western home for PGA Professionals.

A PGA member since 1984, Whitcomb began his career in 1978, at the Arizona Biltmore Country Club in Phoenix. In 1981, he leased Paradise Valley Park Golf Course, also in Phoenix, and built an additional nine holes of golf. In 1989, he designed and built The 500 Club in Phoenix, which he operates with Tom Sneva, the winner of the 1983 Indianapolis 500. In 1992, he designed and built Club West in Phoenix, which he sold in 1998.

In 1995, he designed and constructed Lost Tracks Golf Club in Bend, Ore. Whitcomb also has partnered with three of his former employees to build The Golf Club at Beardance in Castle Rock, Colo., the new home of the Colorado PGA Section.

Since 1999, Whitcomb has served on the national PGA Properties Board. He also was a member of the national PGA Board of Directors from 1998-01, representing District 14. He was elected to a two-year term as PGA secretary in 2002; PGA vice president in 2004; PGA president in 2006; and PGA honorary president in 2008.

From 1989-91, Whitcomb served on the Southwest PGA Section Board of Directors. He was the Section's secretary from 1991-93; vice president from 1993-95; president from 1995-97; and honorary president from 1997-99. He also has served the Section as Tournament Chairperson, Education Chairperson and Golf Pass Chairperson. In 2001, he was named the Southwest Section's PGA Golf Professional of the Year.

Whitcomb attended Arizona State University from 1975-78, earning a bachelor's degree in Physical Education and competing as a member of the university golf team. He was a finalist in the National Long Drive competition in 1985 and '86.

Whitcomb and his wife, Stefanie, have two children, Ryan and Megan.