Southern California Golf Association Names Mike Kelly Executive Director

December 02, 2022

STUDIO CITY, Calif. — The Southern California Golf Association’s (SCGA) Board of Directors today announced the appointment of Mike Kelly, PGA as the Association’s next Executive Director. He will replace Kevin Heaney, who retires at the end of March 2023.

Kelly, 43, currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Golf Ontario, Canada and brings to the SCGA more than 20 years of experience in the golf industry. He has a strong track record of leadership, innovation, and servicing membership. He will inherit an organization widely viewed as among the nation’s most advanced and progressive Allied Golf Associations.

“We are very excited about what Mike Kelly brings to our Association,” said SCGA President, Mike Ortega. “He has a proven pedigree in leadership and shares our organization’s vision of growth, innovation, and inclusivity. We can’t wait to benefit from his immense skillset, experience, and expertise.”

Kelly, a PGA of Canada member, joined Golf Ontario in 2006 and served in a variety of roles before his appointment to CEO in 2015. During his tenure he grew and retained membership, primarily through public golf, and led the transformation of the association’s regional and field operations resulting in 100 new member clubs.

His many accomplishments include developing the Golf in Schools program and launching the Ontario Disabilities and Indigenous Championships. He also created the World Junior Girls Championship, held annually in Ontario.

“The SCGA has long been regarded as an industry leader and I’m honored to carry on and bolster that earned reputation,” Kelly said. “I’m committed to furthering the SCGA’s strategic plan and efforts pertaining to membership growth, advocacy, junior golf programming, and DEI initiatives. I’m looking forward to working with the staff and our allied partners to further advance and grow the game in the region.”

Kelly attended Union College in Kentucky on a golf scholarship before graduating from the Professional Golf Management program at Georgian College where he received the Board of Governors Distinguished Alumni Award. A Class ‘A’ member of the PGA of Canada, Kelly is a two-time Zone and National Award winner.



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