The Dream Career: Eagle Lands Job that Fits Him to a Tee
Miller Brady
From traveling the world to interacting with legendary golfers, Miller Brady (’96) has one of the coolest jobs around. Since January, he has been president of PGA TOUR Champions. The tour features the best 50-and over golfers in the world who compete in events in the U.S., Canada, Japan and England. Prize money on the senior circuit totals $58 million this year.
“I am very honored and humbled to have the opportunity that I have here at the TOUR,” Brady said. “We are lucky. Our guys all have distinguished careers. We have active Hall of Fame members, Tom Watson, Fred Couples and Bernhard Langer on the tour.”
In June, he couldn’t turn down the chance to pinch-caddie for Watson at a tour stop in Japan. His first time ever caddying — and it was for one of golf’s greatest players.
“Caddying for Tom was a spur of the moment yet tremendous experience,” he said. “It was exhausting as the golf course was long and hilly. It was raining as well, so managing the bag, towel, umbrella, etc. was not easy. I just wanted to stay out of his way and let him play his game.”
Brady, who came to Georgia Southern from suburban Atlanta, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in health science. Upon graduation, he set his course in the sports industry. “I wanted to work for a major sports property but knew that I did not want to live in New York where the other major sports leagues are located,” he said.
He first worked for a sports marketing company before joining the PGA TOUR in 1999. Prior to becoming the organization’s president, Brady was senior vice president and chief of operations. In that role, he oversaw tournament business affairs, operations, competitions, player relations and scheduling. As president, he oversees all aspects of the TOUR. His main priority is putting together a schedule of 25-27 events for the players to play each year.
“Each event must have a title sponsor and we want our sponsors to sign a long-term contract,” said the Georgia Southern alumnus. “The longer the deal, the more secure the sponsorship and the tour. I always say we’re the best business-to-business platform in all of sports. In addition, our sponsors receive both domestic and international exposure via all of our media outlets which include broadcast, digital and social.”
When he was a student at Georgia Southern, Brady was involved in intramural sports and the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.
He said the University was a place for him
to grow.
“I enjoyed all aspects of Georgia Southern,” he said. “For the first time, you have to learn on your own how to manage life and your own schedule (attending classes and doing the associated work, laundry, paying bills, buying groceries). More than anything it is all about time management. I think all of it combined is such a tremendous life-learning experience.”
Is he surprised to have made it to where he is now?
“I don’t know if surprised is the right word,” Brady said. “I have always had the philosophy that if you do your job well, work hard … keep your head down, then good things will happen.”
Brady knows he has been fortunate to travel to places such as Europe, Japan, Korea, China, Morocco, the Dominican Republic and visiting historic golf courses along the way.
“We are lucky to play some of the best golf courses around the world such as Pebble Beach,” he noted. “The setting of the historic golf course along the ocean is amazing.”
The senior circuit has also taken him to golf’s oldest course, St. Andrews in Scotland, known as the “home of golf.”
The PGA TOUR president is a passionate advocate for the game of golf and said the opportunity “to work with many Hall of Fame golfers on a daily basis, is a true blessing.”
When Brady is not in his office or on a golf course, he spends time with his family — wife Anne, three children, Caroline, Jack and Anderson, and Tucker, their dog.
— Sandra Bennett