Growing the game of golf has been the mission of the Professional Golfers' Association of America since its inception in 1916. The PGA of America originated in New York when a group of men representing golf professionals and prominent amateurs met at a luncheon on January 17, 1916. These gentlemen discussed forming a national organization which would promote interest in the game of golf and help elevate the vocation of golf professionals. Eighty-two charter members were elected. Today, there are over 28,000 PGA professionals and apprentices - making the PGA the world's largest working sports organization. The PGA of America was comprised of seven Sections in April 1916 - Central, Metropolitan, Middle States, New England, North & South Pacific, Northwest & Southwest and Southeastern. The Middle States Section, which was headquartered in Illinois, included: Alabama, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Toronto, Canada (The PGA of Canada was founded in 1911). In 1921, The PGA of America decided to break up the original seven Sections and form individual Sections based on geographical locations. The Middle States Section became the Illinois PGA. The Middle States Section was renamed the Illinois Section when the other states and Toronto were split off in 1921. Today, the Illinois PGA is comprised of 617 PGA members and 218 apprentices working at over 319 facilities. The Illinois PGA conducts over 70 tournaments annually for its members and apprentices, the largest being the Illinois Open Championship. For over 50 years, the Illinois Open has showcased competition between the finest amateurs and professionals in the “State Championship of Illinois Golf.”