Michael Haywood, the PGA Director of Golf at Tucson (Arizona) Country Club, was one of seven new members of The PGA of America’s Board of Directors sworn in November 6, at The Association’s 94th Annual Meeting at the Westin Copley Place in Boston.

Haywood, 45, is joined by new PGA Directors Michael Ahrnsbrak of Winchester, VA; Stephen Cox of Bonita Springs, FL; Leo De Gisi of Medford, NJ; Gil Gusweiler of Loveland, OH; Suzy Whaley of Farmington, CN, and Independent Director John Jacob of Aventura, FL, who each will serve three-year terms.

Haywood, who was elected to PGA membership in 1997, succeeds Roger Wallace of Polson, MT, as District 14 Director for the Pacific Northwest and Southwest PGA Sections.

“To accept any position at the highest levels of leadership requires tremendous support from those around you,” said Haywood. “Without the dedication and steadfast support of the membership at Tucson Country Club, our PGA Professional staff, and the 1,400 professionals of the Southwest PGA Section, none of this would be possible.”

Haywood, a 1997 graduate of The PGA of America’s Professional Golf Management Program, turned professional in 1987. He preceded his golf career while serving from 1984 to 1987 as a member of the U.S. Army’s elite military units, the First Cavalry Division of Fort Hood, Texas. As a computer programmer/operator, Haywood served in multiple operations that included humanitarian relief efforts to Mexico City and military operations in Central America. He received the Army Commendation, Army Achievement and Humanitarian Service medals; and was awarded the Air Assault Badge.

Following his military service, Haywood began a professional golf career in New Mexico and Texas. He has served since 1991 at Tucson Country Club – six seasons as PGA assistant professional and 13 as Director of Golf. Haywood is the current vice president of the Southwest PGA Section and chair of the SWPGA Finance and Hall of Fame Committees.

A former Section Chapter president, Haywood began the SWPGA Apprentice Orientation Program, and while chair of the Section Education Committee (2004-07), helped guide the development/enhancement of the program that has since expanded to more than a dozen PGA Sections. He currently serves on the PGA National Apprentice Committee.

Haywood established The Player’s Institute at Tucson Country Club, a full-service teaching and coaching organization that specializes in the development and coaching of dedicated and aspiring players. Haywood served as a volunteer assistant coach for the University of Arizona women’s golf team for three years; and was cited in 2009-10 by Golf Digest as one of the “Top Teachers in Arizona.”

Haywood served as a rules official at three USGA Championships and more than 30 USGA Championship qualifiers.

Among his honors include the 2006 Southwest PGA Golf Professional of the Year; the 2004 and ’07 Section Horton Smith Award and the 2008 Southern Chapter Teacher of the Year.

Haywood credits his father, Raymond, and best friend, Shelly Haywood, a 2005 LPGA National and 2005 LPGA Western Section Coach of the Year, as the driving forces behind his success, vision and passion for the game.

The PGA Board of Directors is composed of the Association’s President, Vice President, Secretary, Honorary President and 17 Directors. The Directors include representatives from each of The PGA’s 14 Districts, two Independent Directors and a member of the PGA Tour. New District Directors are elected by their local PGA Sections.