Marco Penge struggled to find a golf club in the USA after moving to join the PGA Tour. This surprised many, except Michael Kim.
Marco Penge was one of last season’s rising stars. Finishing second in the Race to Dubai, he almost won the DP World Tour season and secured his PGA Tour card for the new season. At the beginning of January, Penge relocated to the USA to fully focus on the American tour, but the move did not make everything easier. At a press conference ahead of the Farmers Insurance Open, Penge revealed he initially had difficulties finding a new golf club in the USA, and he seems not to be alone.
“I was rejected a few times”
He now plays at the Old Palm Golf Club in Florida and feels very comfortable there: “They are a true, family-oriented golf club and very relaxed,” he says. “Old Palm and I fit well together, and the facilities are great.” However, the path wasn’t as easy as Penge probably expected. “I was rejected a few times.”
Michael Kim commented 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 some non-pro members to start the process. We are better off than a random businessman, but it’s not as easy as some might think. Unless you’re REALLY famous. Then it’s different. And Kim does not even count himself as truly famous. He means that only major winners and the very best players in the world can simply join a golf club.”
Marco Penge looks forward to the PGA Tour
The difficulties with the golf club do not diminish his excitement about his PGA Tour debut. “I am really looking forward to playing the next four weeks. Starting here at Torrey Pines and then going to Phoenix, Pebble Beach, and Riviera is a pretty good start to my life on the PGA Tour.”
Penge is qualified for the next four PGA Tour events and begins the season this weekend at the Farmers Insurance Open. Although he started with a +3 in the first round, many experts still expect him to make a strong impression in his rookie 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