Marco Penge struggled to find a golf club in the USA after his switch to the PGA Tour. This came as a surprise to many, except Michael Kim.
Marco Penge was one of the rising stars last season. With a second place in the Race to Dubai, he nearly won the DP World Tour season and earned his card for the new PGA Tour season. In early January, Penge moved to the USA to fully focus on the American tour, but the move did not come without challenges. At a press conference before the Farmers Insurance Open, Penge revealed he initially had difficulties finding a new golf club in the US, and he seemed not to be the only one facing this issue.
\”I was rejected a few times\”
Currently, Penge plays at the Old Palm Golf Club in Florida and feels very comfortable there: \”They are a genuine, family-oriented golf club and very relaxed,\” he said. \”Old Palm and I fit well together, and the facilities there are great.\” However, the path to get there was not as easy as Penge might have expected. \”I was rejected a few times.\”
Michael Kim commented on this statement on X, saying: \”Most private clubs are very open to hosting pros once or twice but becoming a member is a different story. Usually, we need to know a few non-pro members to start the process. We’re better off than a random businessman, but it’s not as easy as some might think. Unless you’re REALLY famous. Then, of course, it’s different. And Kim does not even count himself as really famous. He means that the list of players who can simply join a golf club is limited to major winners and the best in the world.\”
Marco Penge looks forward to his PGA Tour debut
Despite the difficulties with the golf club, Penge’s excitement for his debut as a PGA Tour member remains strong. \”I’m really looking forward to playing the next four weeks. Starting here at Torrey Pines and then moving on to Phoenix, Pebble Beach, and Riviera is a pretty good start to my PGA Tour life.\”
Penge qualified for the next four PGA Tour events and starts the season this weekend at the Farmers Insurance Open. Although he had a rough start with a +3 in the first round, many experts still see good chances for him to make an impression in his first season.
Most private clubs are very open to hosting pros once or twice but becoming a member is a different story.
Usually we need to know a few non pro members to start the process. We are better off than a random sales guy but it’s not as easy as some might think.
Unless you’re REALLY… https://t.co/D7SMfzwvfW— Michael S. Kim (@Mike_kim714) January 28, 2026