Marco Penge struggles to find a golf club in the USA after joining the PGA Tour. A surprise to many, but not to Michael Kim.
Marco Penge was one of the rising stars last season. Finishing second in the Race to Dubai, he not only nearly won the DP World Tour season but also secured his PGA Tour card for the new season. In early January, Penge moved to the USA to fully focus on the American tour, but the move hasn’t made everything easier. At a press conference before the Farmers Insurance Open, Penge revealed he initially had trouble finding a new golf club in the USA, and he doesn’t seem to be the only one facing this challenge.
“I Was Rejected a Few Times”
Currently, Penge plays at Old Palm Golf Club in Florida and feels very comfortable there: “They are a genuine, family-oriented golf club and very relaxed,” he says. “Old Palm and I fit well together, and the facilities there are fantastic.” But getting there wasn’t 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 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 a different matter. And Kim doesn’t even count himself among the really famous. He means the list of players who can simply join a golf club is limited to major winners and the very best in the world.”
Marco Penge Looks Forward to the PGA Tour
Despite the difficulties with the golf club, Penge’s excitement for his debut as a PGA Tour member remains high. “I’m very much looking forward to playing the next four weeks. Starting here at Torrey Pines and then heading to Phoenix, Pebble Beach, and Riviera is quite a good start to my life on the PGA Tour.”
Penge is qualified for the PGA Tour events over the next four weeks and is starting the season this weekend at the Farmers Insurance Open. Although his start was shaky with a +3 in the first round, many experts still expect him to make a strong 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