Chargualaf speaking at the 2017 Pro Worlds Players Meeting. Photo by Stu Mullenberg, The Flight Record.

The new Executive Director of the Professional Disc Golf Association, now with just over a month officially under his belt, is quickly adapting and settling into his new position as the head honcho of the organization. Coming from an honorable background of 21 years in the United States Air Force, Lieutenant Colonel Joe Chargualaf’s enthusiasm and commitment to the sport already is and will continue to impact the members, the staff, and the Board of Directors.

Edging out 170+ candidates, Chargualaf officially assumed his role as PDGA Executive Director on June 1, 2017, following the six-week transition period that began in April. Serving as a senior leader within the USAF Morale, Welfare, and Recreation department as well as overseeing Air Force Sports Programs operations, he brings to the table a wealth of experience and discipline that a sport that is growing so quickly truly needs.

Chargualaf’s arrival date meant he would be diving right into the not-so-small task of overseeing the 2017 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships, disc golf’s most prestigious event, hosted in 2017 by his own PDGA staff and taking place just outside the window of his office at the International Disc Golf Center (IDGC).

“I thought it was awesome to be able to step in right at the time of Pro Worlds,” said Chargualaf. “From a planning perspective, having it at the IDGC gave me an opportunity to see what the TDs deal with when planning for a PDGA Major – it gave me a first-hand perspective. Now, when I go on the road and travel to some of these events coming up, I’ll have a much better understanding of what they’re dealing with.”

“He’s been a massive help to the PDGA staff. There have been many times already where he’s been the last one out the door, even staying at the IDGC until midnight during Worlds week,” said Zach Shafer, IDGC Manager and Pro Worlds Tournament Director. “We’re lucky to have him on board, and happy his transition has been so smooth.”

The small staff of the PDGA, currently just 11 full-time employees plus two summer interns, means that a certain level of creativity is required to manage the seemingly endless and continuously growing number of problems to solve for the governing body of a sport that is expanding so rapidly. With Chargualaf’s expertise in process improvement, program management, and human resources, the PDGA looks forward to seeing both the sport of disc golf and the PDGA as an organization grow with Chargualaf leading the charge.

Chargualaf goes out of his way to get to know the people who walk through the doors of the IDGC; from Board of Directors members to disc golfers stopping by the IDGC and everyone in between. Pro Worlds, however, put him in front of some of the biggest names in the sport not to mention the figureheads of some of the biggest disc golf-related companies and manufacturers.

Chargualaf talking with members at the IDGC during 2017 Pro Worlds. Photo by Stu Mullenberg, The Flight Record.

“If anything, stepping into Pro Worlds was kind of an advantage for me,” said Chargualaf. “With everybody coming to town, it gave me a chance to meet a lot of the people I've wanted to in just a couple of days instead of having to meet them all one-by-one on the road.”

Chargualaf has been playing disc golf since 1991, eventually signing up for his PDGA membership in 1999 to become member #15615. Over the years, he has served as a Tournament Director, volunteer, course designer, and has also helped with the installation of courses along the way.

Chargualaf is committed to growing the sport, building an extensive community on the global level, and sharing this sport with anyone and everyone he can. We encourage you all to give PDGA Executive Director Joe Chargualaf a warm welcome.

For more information about Joe's plans as Executive Director over the next couple of years, see the PDGA Office Report in the latest edition of DiscGolfer Magazine.