Liberty Corner, New Jersey, United States: The United States Golf Association (USGA) has elected Kevin Hammer as its 68th President at the Association’s Annual Meeting.

Hammer will serve a two-year term spearheading the USGA Executive Committee, the volunteer-led policy-making board that provides essential oversight and organisation to the USGA’s full-time staff.

Hammer brings a lifetime of golf experience to the role. He grew up in a ‘golf house’, as the son of a PGA Tour and PGA of America professional and runner-up in the 1960 US Junior Amateur.

Hammer’s family home was a revolving door of players, golf course architects, caddies and golf club experts. He earned first-team American Junior Golf Association All-America honours, played collegiately at the University of Florida, and qualified for multiple USGA championships. Following his amateur career, he has brought his passion for the game to numerous leadership roles, notably serving on the USGA Executive Committee since 2022 and spending 10 years on the Florida State Golf Association Board of Directors, including two years as FSGA President (2020-21). 

Hammer said: “I am fortunate to have spent my entire life around the game I love. In that time, I’ve learned that golf has the unique ability to bring people together – from elite professionals to junior golfers, families and communities. As the 68th President of the USGA, my focus will be on preserving the true spirit of the competition, accessibility, and fun that defines golf and the people who make it worth playing.”  

On the USGA Executive Committee, Hammer has concentrated on expanding the game and fostering the next generation of American golfers at every level of the sport. He chaired the USGA Championship Committee and served on the Compensation & Leadership Development, Governance, Investment, International Team Selection and Nominating Committees.

During that time, he led a future site strategy to bring all 15 USGA championships to the finest venues in the country, including the US Open, US Women’s Open, Walker Cup, and Curtis Cup. He has also supported the US National Development Programme, which provides training, development, and funding for the country’s most talented junior players. 

USGA CEO Mike Whan said: “Kevin brings a wealth of experience and a deep, lifelong respect for golf’s traditions, but he also possesses a forward-thinking mindset that is vital in this evolving landscape. He understands the challenges and the opportunities facing golf today, and I’m energised by the prospect of partnering with him over the next two years to keep driving our mission forward.”

Professionally, Hammer has been with Merrill Lynch for more than 25 years. He currently serves as Managing Director of the firm’s Rubin, Hammer, Eaton & Conrad Wealth Management Group, which manages investments for individuals, families, foundations and professional athletes.

He is joined by two new members on the Executive Committee, Brenda Corrie Kuehn and Suzy Whaley, each beginning a three-year term. Additionally, Leslie Henry, Bryan Lewis, Michael McCarthy and Andy North each begin their second three-year term on the Committee.

They all will serve on the Executive Committee alongside Andrew Biggadike, Dianne Dixon, David Dorton, Virginia C. Drosos, Sinclair Eaddy Jr, Cathy Engelbert, Jim Gorrie and David Leitch.

Kuehn and Whaley assume seats vacated by Fred Perpall, whose term as USGA President concluded yesterday, and Courtney Myhrum, who retired after consecutive three-year terms on the Executive Committee.