I'm not one to defend the AGA,WGF, or USGA..but the PGA of America does more for the game and PGA members then this article states. No doubt the move to Texas is an interesting one, and running tournaments is an important part of what the PGA does on a national/global level. However, at the grass roots level they offer many benefits to their members as well as some trickle down economics from the big deals. It is up to the individual PGA member to continue to educate themselves, become better instructors, offer better local programming, take advantage of national PGA offerings, and ultimately continue to grow the game.
I will also say the First Tee is a wonderful organization, but agree that it is not the saving grace golf needs. PGA Junior League, IMO, is going to reinvigorate (and already has) the junior golf world. A strong base of future golfers is being built by this program.
One thing that is missing in many growth of the game initiatives is technology and indoor (fast) golf opportunities. In our area we are seeing a small boom of indoor golf facilities which will hopefully give people in areas with variable climates to be engaged in the game on a more consistent basis. More and more clubs and courses are starting to implement indoor golf as a resource for their members/customers as the technology becomes more affordable (launch monitors, projectors, Optishot, etc.).
There's definitely a lot of "crap" going on...but it's not all bad crap as this article would make it out to seem.