Local pro tapped for PGA leadership program

Bandon Dunes pro picked for PGA of America leadership program

Jessica McClellan, one of the head golf professionals at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, has been selected for a leadership development program of the PGA of America Golf Professionals.

McClellan, the head pro at Old Macdonald golf course, was one of 15 people selected for the PGA LEAD class.

PGA LEAD is the organization’s leadership development program, created to identify, mentor and progress PGA of America members from diverse backgrounds along a guided path to volunteer leadership roles at the chapter, section and national levels of PGA of America, according to the organization. The program also helps members who have a desire to serve on nonprofit boards in the communities where they work and live.

McClellan is the only member of the 2024-25 PGA Lead class from Oregon and one of two from the Pacific Northwest PGA Section (the other is Connor Lynch, the first assistant at Meadow Park Golf Course in Puyallup, Wash.).

McClellan first came to Bandon Dunes as an intern in 2020 and returned after completing her college education at Penn State University.

She was first assistant at the Sheep Ranch and Bandon Dunes courses before recently being selected head pro at Old Macdonald during a shift in leadership roles at three of the resort’s courses. Ryan Nielson moved from head pro at Bandon Trails to head pro at Bandon Dunes and Chris Hensley moved from head pro at Old Macdonald to head pro at Bandon Trails.

PGA LEAD was established in 2016. The 18-month program reinforces the PGA of America’s commitment to create a game, workforce and industry supply chain that better mirror America’s demographics. The association is committed to inclusive governance, environments, systems and structures that create the opportunity for all PGA of America Golf Professionals to develop, grow and lead.

“It has been tremendous to see PGA LEAD participants grow into leadership positions across the association at both the section and national levels,” said PGA of America President John Lindert, the PGA Director of Golf at the Country Club of Lansing in Lansing, Mich. “This program continues to help bring talented PGA of America golf professionals to the forefront of the golf industry, which will help position the PGA of America’s overall mission of growing the game for years to come.”