Union League's Palmer honored by PGA of America as its Golf Executive of the Year

 

   The Union League turned some heads in the Philadelphia golf community when it took over the operation of Torresdale Golf Club, the classic Donald Ross design that was one of just two private golf courses inside the city limits, Bala Golf Club being the other, in 2014.

   But that was just the beginning for the Union League’s impact on the Philadelphia region’s golf scene.

   In this decade, the Union League has turned its golf footprint into a little golf empire, taking over The ACE Club and turning it into The Union League Liberty Hill in Lafayette Hill, Montgomery County, and then, quite literally, moving the earth to turn Sand Barrens Golf Club into Union League National in Cape May Court House, N.J., just a few miles away from the Jersey shore.

   In the middle of all of it has been Sean Palmer, officially the chief executive officer for The Union League of Philadelphia.

   It’s a big title for a big job, but at his heart, Palmer is a club professional. Last week at the 73^rd PGA Show in Orlando, Fla., the PGA of America announced that Palmer would receive its Golf Executive of the Year Award for 2026.

   Palmer and his fellow PGA of America honorees will be recognized at the 110^th PGA of America Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, Nev. in November.

   The Golf Executive of the Year Award recognizes a PGA of America member with outstanding service in an executive management position who displays leadership, vision, courage, moral character and who has a substantial record of service to the Association and the game.

   A caddy as a youngster, Palmer now oversees more than 1,400 employees and seven properties at one of the nation’s largest and most respected private clubs.

   Palmer graduated from Penn State’s Professional Golf Management program and learned from industry leaders at top clubs before The Union League tabbed him as the head pro at Torresdale, its first property, in 2014.

   Palmer was starting at ground zero at Torresdale with no golf members or staff. In the ensuing 12 years, Palmer has led the creation of three golf properties, growing the golf membership to 1,200 and annual golf revenue to more than $22 million.

   In the last decade, Palmer has overseen more than $64 million in capital property projects and played a lead role in the acquisition and development of additional golf properties.

   The transformation that resulted in the creation of Cape May National was particularly ambitious with tons of earth brought in to facilitate the redesign of architects Dana Fry and Jason Straka.

   The Union League membership has grown from 3,700 to 4,700 and annual revenue has increased from $34 million to $117 million.

   As chief operating officer, Palmer manages all Union League operations, including golf, hospitality and business functions with a focus on innovation, culture and team development.

   Palmer leads Union League University, a staff training and internship program that has become a model that other clubs have followed.

   Union League University provides golf interns and employees across all departments with a structured curriculum, mentorship and career development opportunities. More than 25 assistant pros, caddie masters and retail associates have advanced to leadership roles under Palmer’s guidance.

   Palmer has made community engagement a priority as he has led The Union League’s support of PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere), hosted the 2022 PGA Works Collegiate Championship and raised more than $1.4 million for HBCU golf programs.

   The club is also a proud partner in The First Tee of Philadelphia, providing facilities, fundraising support and enrichment programs for youth.

   Palmer also created the UL Caddie Scholarship Program and has expanded access to golf for juniors, women and families by removing traditional barriers and offering innovative membership and instruction models.

   Palmer serves on four Philadelphia Section committees and is active in the PGA REACH mentorship program. He is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and has served on the Penn State PGM Alumni Board for nine years, including a stint as president.

   Palmer earned the Philadelphia Section’s highest honor when he was named its Golf Professional of the Year in 2021. He also earned the Philly Section’s Professional Development Award in 2024 and was the Assistant Golf Professional of the Year in 2014.

   He received Penn State’s Frank B. Guadagnolo Award for Mentoring Excellence in 2021 and the Lions Alumnus of the Year Award in 2019.

   Palmer will be among 13 PGA professionals who will be honored at the PGA of America Annual Meeting in Las Vegas.

   Another of the top honorees will be Brian Crowell, president of Bally’s Golf and general manager of Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point in the Bronx, N.Y. who will receive the Golf Professional of the Year Award.

   Bernie Najar, the director of instruction at Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Md., will receive the Teacher & Coach of the Year Award.