1983 PGA Members Ring - 10k Gold with Diamond
PGA membership is not given — it is earned. To receive this ring, a golf professional completed years of rigorous education, written examinations, playing ability tests, and demonstrated excellence in their craft. This 1983 10k gold ring set with a diamond, crafted by the Baltimore-based J. Jenkins Sons Co., was awarded to mark that achievement — one of the most meaningful milestones in a professional golfer's career.
What does PGA membership mean?
The PGA of America — founded in 1916 and today the largest working sports organization in the world — represents nearly 29,000 golf professionals. Earning full PGA membership requires completing multiple levels of coursework, passing the PGA Playing Ability Test, and fulfilling years of employment within the golf industry. It is the gold standard credential in the profession, signifying mastery of both the game and the business of golf. A PGA member ring is awarded to commemorate that achievement — it is a career ring in the truest sense.
1983 was a landmark year in professional golf — Hal Sutton claimed the PGA Championship at Riviera Country Club, defeating Jack Nicklaus in a memorable final round duel. The men and women earning their PGA credentials that same year were joining a profession at the height of the sport's golden era.
J. Jenkins Sons Co. of Baltimore has been crafting rings for prestigious organizations since 1903 — over a century of expertise producing signet and achievement rings for professional, military, and academic institutions. Their work is defined by precision craftsmanship and exceptional durability, making this ring as impressive today as the day it was awarded.
For golf collectors, historians, or anyone with a deep appreciation for the sport, this is a rare and genuine artifact of professional golf culture — a tangible symbol of a lifetime dedicated to the game.
| Year | 1983 |
| Organization | PGA of America |
| Material | 10k Gold with diamond |
| Manufacturer | J. Jenkins Sons Co. |
| Type | Member-issued achievement ring |
| Stone | Diamond |
PGA of America — Quick Facts
- Founded April 10, 1916 — one of the oldest and most prestigious professional sports organizations in the world
- Nearly 29,000 members nationwide, organized across 41 sections and 14 districts
- Membership requires passing the PGA Playing Ability Test, multiple levels of coursework and examinations, and years of verified employment in the golf industry
- The PGA conducts the PGA Championship — one of golf's four major tournaments — as well as the Senior PGA Championship and the Women's PGA Championship
- Co-organizer of the Ryder Cup, the most prestigious team event in professional golf
- A PGA credential is the benchmark of excellence in the golf profession — held by the world's top instructors, club professionals, and golf course managers