Far Hills, New Jersey, United States: Mark Newell has been nominated to serve a one-year term as the 65th President of the United States Golf Association (USGA) by the USGA Nominating Committee.
He will replace Diana Murphy, who is completing her second and final one-year term.
Newell, a five-year member of the USGA Executive Committee, has chaired the Rules of Golf Committee since 2012. During that time, he has co-led the joint USGA/R&A Rules modernisation project, which will result in major Rules changes in 2019.
He also chaired the USGA Handicap Committee and spent four years as co-chair of the World Handicap Initiative, which developed the proposed USGA/R&A World Handicap System that is scheduled to debut in 2020.
Newell’s nomination comes alongside those of four new nominees to the Executive Committee, including three-time Major champion and former world number one Nick Price, and a new general counsel.
The other new nominees to the 15-member Executive Committee, a volunteer group that serves as the association’s executive policy-making board, are Paul G. Brown, Kendra Graham and Sharon Ritchey. Richard A. Shortz has been nominated as general counsel.
If elected at the USGA’s Annual Meeting on February 3, 2018, in Miami, the nominees would replace departing committee members Murphy, Sheila Johnson, George Still and Thomas Hough. Robert Weber will also retire as general counsel.
“Once again, the USGA is the beneficiary of having an incredibly talented group of nominees,” said Jim Hyler, Chair of the Nominating Committee and former USGA President. “These individuals have the best interests of the game in mind, and we look forward to them continuing the great work accomplished by the previous committee.”
The Executive Committee candidates have a wealth of experience in industries that include golf, corporate business, finance and banking. Each nominee has already made selfless contributions to the sport at the local, amateur, collegiate and professional levels.
“We are extremely grateful for all the hard work of our outgoing Executive Committee members and general counsel, who have selflessly volunteered their time and expertise to the benefit of our mission for the past several years,” said Mike Davis, USGA CEO. “That includes a special thank you to Diana for her leadership, dedication and support over the past two years, which will have a lasting impact.
“The new nominee group truly embodies the mission of the USGA, by helping to make the game more accessible, playable and enjoyable for everyone. Their expertise, insight and knowledge will help grow the game in ways that will be beneficial for every golfer.”