✅ No, we couldn't find enough authoritative news coverage specifically confirming that Derek Sprague was honored as the *first inductee* into Malone Golf Club's Hall of Fame. However, relevant information about Derek Sprague's association with Malone Golf Club and Hall of Fame honors is available from credible sources:

1. A local news video from MyNBC5 (a regional news outlet) confirms Derek Sprague, PGA CEO, earned a spot in the Malone Golf Club Hall of Fame in July 2025. The video likely shows the event or announcement but does not explicitly confirm he was the *first* inductee.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8c2jBi7gXKU (Trust Score 6/10)

2. The Southern Ohio PGA notes Derek Sprague's longtime career at Malone Golf Club and mentions his 2017 induction into the Northeastern New York PGA Hall of Fame but does not specifically mention the Malone Golf Club Hall of Fame or him being the first inductee there.

https://thesouthernohiopga.com/news/sprague-named-new-pga-ceo/ (Trust Score 7/10)

3. Golf Monthly details Derek Sprague’s extensive background including his 26 years at Malone Golf Club and Hall of Fame inductions but only refers to the Northeastern New York PGA Hall of Fame in 2017, not Malone Golf Club’s Hall of Fame.

https://www.golfmonthly.com/tour/derek-sprague-golf-facts (Trust Score 8/10)

While these sources confirm Derek Sprague's strong ties to Malone Golf Club and that he has been inducted into a related regional Hall of Fame, there is no clear independent confirmation he was the *first* inductee into Malone Golf Club’s own Hall of Fame from major or widely recognized news outlets. The claim may be accurate but remains unverified by top-tier sources.