Darrell Crall
Darrell Crall is the Chief Operating Officer of the PGA of America and is charged with overseeing the day-to-day business operation of the world’s largest working sports organization.
Born in Fort Benning, GA, Crall grew up in Ashland County where sports played a dominant role in his development – from little league baseball and youth football to his ultimate passions of basketball and golf. He was introduced to golf by PGA Professional George Valentine at the age of 13 and was immediately inspired by Coach Valentine and fell in love with the game.
Crall played varsity basketball, track and golf at Mapleton High School his freshman year before moving to Ashland High School as the school dropped its ports programs due to funding issues.
While at Ashland High School, Crall played varsity basketball and golf during his sophomore, junior and senior years. He led the Arrows’ basketball team in scoring his junior and senior years, while also serving as team captain. Crall was the golf team co-captain his final two years, won eight individual titles and helped lead the Arrows’ golf team to a 53-2 record his junior and senior years. Crall represented Ohio in the National High School Golf Championship in Colorado Springs, which featured a boy and girl from each state.
Crall matriculated to Greensboro College, North Carolina for his freshman year on a full academic scholarship, and he claimed two individual college golf titles and was named a Division III All--American. He then transferred to Duke University receiving a full athletic scholarship to play golf for the Blue Devils. While at Duke, Crall was a golf team starter in 35 of 36 tournaments, received the University’s Clifford W. Perry Award for academic excellence and leadership, and was named team captain his senior campaign. He graduated from Duke in 1989 with a B.A. in History.
Crall began his professional career with the National Golf Foundation of Japan and lived in Tokyo. He returned to the United States to work for the PGA of America in the Carolinas Section as director of tournament operations before moving to Dallas to run the Northern Texas Section as its executive director. While in Texas, Crall implemented many of Coach Valentine’s principles to build one of the nation’s largest and most dynamic junior golf foundations, contributing to the golf industry’s $4 billion in annual charitable contributions.
Crall joined the PGA of America in 2011, serving first as senior director of player development, then its managing director of strategic development before moving into his current role of chief operating officer in 2012.
Crall and his wife, Lane, are the parents of Sarah Caroline (14) and Davis (11) and reside in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
Nominated by Pam Leonard
