Henry Hughes, a prominent figure in professional golf and a driving force behind the growth of the PGA TOUR, passed away on Friday, September 19. He was 78.
Hughes’ journey with the game began in Wethersfield, Connecticut, where he grew up attending the Sammy Davis Jr.-Greater Hartford Open. He likely never imagined the role he would one day play in shaping not just that tournament, but the PGA TOUR as a whole.
In 1975, Hughes became co-chair of the Greater Hartford event, now known as the Travelers Championship. His success there drew the attention of then-PGA TOUR Commissioner Deane Beman, who in 1986 brought Hughes on as the TOUR’s first Director of Marketing.
From there, Hughes’ influence grew rapidly. He played a central role in the formation of the Championship Management division, overseeing major events such as THE PLAYERS Championship, the TOUR Championship, and the Presidents Cup. By 1988, he was Executive Director of THE PLAYERS, a role he held until 1996, during a critical period in the tournament’s evolution.
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“Henry was a trusted colleague and a dear friend,” said current PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “We shared a unique bond through THE PLAYERS Championship, where his leadership laid the foundation for much of what the event represents today. But Henry’s influence extended far beyond North Florida. He was a valued mentor to many of us. His impact is immeasurable, and his absence will be deeply felt. We send our heartfelt condolences to Patty and the entire Hughes family.”
Hughes continued to rise through the organization, becoming the TOUR’s first Chief of Operations (1998–2008), and later CEO of THE PLAYERS. He helped shape the TOUR’s relationships with players, fans, sponsors, and host communities, leaving an indelible legacy.
He also spearheaded key operational improvements across the TOUR, from enhancing tournament security to upgrading the Qualifying Tournament. He was instrumental in establishing the Tournament Business Affairs department and played a key role in launching the Presidents Cup in just six months.
Upon Hughes’ retirement in 2010, then-Commissioner Tim Finchem noted, “Henry had a major role in elevating THE PLAYERS to the stature it enjoys today. He laid a lot of the groundwork for things that are now standard procedure.”
One of Hughes’ lasting contributions was mentoring the next generation of TOUR leadership—most notably, bringing current Commissioner Jay Monahan to the PGA TOUR in 2008 as Executive Director of THE PLAYERS.
Despite his many achievements at the national level, Hughes remained deeply committed to his roots in Connecticut. He continued to serve on the Travelers Championship Board of Directors and played a key role in saving the tournament in 2003 after it lost its title sponsor. Under his guidance, the event not only survived but grew into a Signature Event and one of New England’s premier sporting attractions.
Ted May, a fellow board member and co-founder of First Tee – Connecticut, praised Hughes’ behind-the-scenes influence: “Without Henry’s guidance and support in those very challenging years, we might not have remained on the PGA TOUR. He was instrumental in building Connecticut’s First Tee chapter into what it has become today.”
A passionate supporter of youth development, Hughes was deeply involved with the First Tee program nationally and locally. In early 2024, First Tee – Connecticut honored his legacy by launching the Henry Hughes First Tee – Connecticut Scholarship, designed to support both the educational and programming needs of young people in the Greater Hartford area.
Throughout his career, Hughes combined vision with humility, always staying connected to the community that first sparked his love for the game. His contributions to professional golf, and the lives he touched along the way, will be felt for generations.
