Steve Chaney, PGA Celebrates 50 Years of PGA Membership and a Lifetime of Impact

BILOXI, Miss. — In 2026, Steve Chaney celebrates his 50th anniversary as a PGA of America, marking a career that began with his Class A membership in 1976 and has spanned five decades of teaching, leadership, and service to golf.
Chaney began his professional career at Farmington Country Club in 1972, serving as an assistant professional through 1977. He continued at Bayou Bend Country Club from 1978 to 1979 before joining Back Acres Country Club, where he worked from 1979 to 1983.

It was at Back Acres that Chaney worked with Vance Veazey as a junior golfer, years before Veazey would go on to compete on the PGA TOUR. Veazey remembers both Chaney’s knowledge of the game and the time he invested in him as a young player.

“Steve had a very solid game and a ton of knowledge about the swing. He was very instrumental in the development of my game and always wanted to take the time to help me. He traveled to many of my junior tournaments, and he and my parents were

there rooting me on.”

In 1983, Chaney became Head Golf Professional at Columbus Country Club (MS), where he served for 17 years. He taught generations of golfers, managed tournaments, and served the club’s membership.

Jim Wamble, a member of Columbus Country Club during Chaney’s tenure, remembers Chaney as both a golf professional and a friend.

“I owe all my golf success, as well as many of my favorite memories, to you. You’ve been a great pro and even a better friend.”

Chaney’s leadership extended beyond the club. From 1990 to 1992, he served as President of the Mississippi Chapter of the PGA. He was also an accomplished player. In 1988, Chaney competed in the PGA Club Professional Championship at Pinehurst.

After leaving Columbus Country Club in 2000, Chaney opened Chaney’s Golf Instruction & Retail, which he operated from 2001 through 2011, continuing his focus on teaching and player development.

In 2011, Chaney joined Shell Landing Golf Club in Gautier, Mississippi, where he served as an assistant professional through 2019. His work with junior golfers continued there as he helped grow the club’s PGA Junior League program from 13 players to 50 in just two years.

Since 2020, Chaney has been semi-retired while continuing to teach.

Kenny Hughes, PGA, CEO of Shell Landing Golf Club, said Chaney’s approach continues to distinguish him as a PGA Professional.

“Steve Chaney is the true definition of what it means to be a PGA golf professional. He continues to master his craft, effectively utilizing technology to teach players, and he approaches each day with the same enthusiasm as if it were his first day as a professional. Thanks for your commitment to our profession.”

Chaney’s influence also extends to other PGA Professionals. Randy Stephens, PGA Member, credits Chaney’s guidance as instrumental in his own path into the profession.
“I would have never been a PGA Member without the guidance and support of Steve Chaney.”

Fifty years after earning his PGA membership, Steve Chaney’s impact is measured not simply by the years, titles or tournaments, but by the players he taught, the professionals he mentored and the relationships he built through the game.
The people Chaney encountered throughout his career provide perhaps the clearest measure of his 50 years in golf: a PGA TOUR player who remembers the professional who traveled to his junior tournaments, a club member who remembers a great professional and an even better friend, and a PGA Member who says he would not have entered the profession without Chaney’s guidance

That is 50 years of impact. That is the legacy of Steve Chaney, PGA.