Mike Whan - © USGA

Mike Whan should be officially in office from here "The middle of the year", said USGA President Stu Francis. “Until then, Mike will be very active in our decisions and strategic thinking. He and Mike Davis will communicate regularly. "

Mike Davis, who announced his intention to step down in 2021 after 10 years at the helm of the USGA last September, will leave sometime after the succession to team up with course architect Tom Fazio II at a new company, Fazio & Davis Golf Design. "I know the USGA will be in good hands", said Davis, “And I look forward to partnering with Mike to ensure a smooth and successful transition. "

Mike Whan's choice comes at a time when the USGA seeks to strengthen its alliances with the growing and changing entities of the golf world, as well as negotiating the revenue challenges of a non-profit sports organization. lucrative.
It has become a complex work, more and more corporate, whose most sensitive territory is the permanent debate on the increasing distance, which remains contentious between the governing bodies, which explore new regulations, the equipment manufacturers and the players, who tend to see this as a threat to both their profit and the enjoyment of the game.

Mike Whan's course, especially with large golf equipment companies, appears to be an important step in the next transition. The 56-year-old graduate, from Miami, Ohio, began his career in business, moving from marketing leadership roles at Proctor & Gamble, the golf division of Wilson Sporting Goods, the TaylorMade Golf Company and the TaylorMade-adidas Golf, these last three where he continued his experience in sport and in particular golf.

Mike Whan became commissioner of the LPGA in 2010, and his 11-year tenure has been hailed for the dramatic increase in the number of tournaments (from 24 to 34), purses (from $ 41,5 to $ 76,5 million) ) and hours of television (from 125 to over 500 per season). He was credited with giving players more power in decision-making. When Whan announced his departure in early January, the LPGA stars as well as the grassroots underscored their appreciation for his communication skills and the trust he has sparked.

This reaction underscores Mike Whan's strength as a man of dialogue who gets results. "I'm not good for anything, but I'm good enough to build strategic alliances", did he declare. “In the LPGA, 10 of the 10 things I'm most proud of happened when someone else grabbed the rope and pulled harder than me. I just managed to get them interested in the rope. "

He is also a talented communicator, comfortable in front of microphones and cameras. Whan can reasonably be expected to play a more "Outside" than any other USGA leader since Joe Dey, who was its executive director from 1934 to 1968.

"It was a key parameter for us", said Francis. “We believe that to lead the game, you have to have charisma, be an effective speaker, be a leader with other organizations. I think the USGA will have more visibility with the public. You will see a more welcoming USGA to lead the way, make important decisions, and bring people around us. He did, but it's just a bigger step to take. Mike Whan is the right leader at the right time for the USGA. "

" I am not shy ", Whan conceded. “Stage fright has never been part of my life. "

Mike Whan said he began considering the position after meeting with the USGA Research Committee in December. “It was the first time that I had been interested in anything else as a commissioner, and it showed that it was time to leave. The USGA job was a hope at the time, but certainly not relevant. "

Whan announced on January 6 that he would step down as commissioner later this year. He said he made his final decision to accept the USGA job two weeks ago. He became more convinced after being pushed by each of the last two men to take on the post, David Fay and Davis.

They both told me: “Mike, do this job. It would be good for golf ”, said Mike Whan. Two guys who knew me and knew the job and told me: “Trust me on this one. It was important to me. "

said PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan: “I believe Mike Whan is the perfect choice to lead the USGA. One need only look at his track record over the past 11 years, having taken the reins at an incredibly difficult time in LPGA history. Mike will use these experiences, connections, and the passion he displayed in the LPGA to ensure that USGA organizational decisions continue to be made based on what is best for amateur and professional gaming. . "

“And having been a leading industry voice for diversity, equity and inclusion with the LPGA, I have no doubt that Mike will keep those same principles and make them a project of organizational passion for the USGA. . "

Mike Whan's course in golf deviates dramatically from the traditionalist heritage that has been standard among USGA leaders since Dey. This is particularly significant with regard to the question of distance, which the USGA, in its project "Distance Insights Project" says it is "Taking Golf in the Wrong Direction". This position, and the current process of proposing possible ways through the regulation of equipment to reduce distance, is seen as a threat to trade by several equipment companies. Although the organization promises an involved and prolonged process of interaction and cooperation with manufacturers, the two sides have mostly remained on their side. But Whan's comments seem to indicate a more conciliatory tone.

“The last thing I'm going to do is become the head of the USGA that's going to try to put a company's $ 100 million R&D [research and development] in a box and say more innovation ", did he declare. “I really believe that innovation, the investment that manufacturers make in golf, is one of the things that makes our sport better than so many others. So we're not doing this without the voice and help of the manufacturers in the process.
It won't be easy. But that's one of the things that fascinates me. I like the people we talk to about doing this. I have lived their life. I know what it's like to have a bunch of money in inventory and R&D and try to push the boundaries. We're not going to take the fun out of the game. We're not going to take the innovation out of the game. We're just going to make sure that the game will be as fun and innovative 100 years from now as it is today. And finding that balance, I'll be the first to admit, it won't be easy. But I'm excited about a band that won't back down from something just because it's not easy. "

The USGA's relationship with tourism professionals is not easy either, as it has had to endure a constant stream of criticism over decisions such as the mooring ban, the drop method, the facilities of the US Open and, of course, the possible ramifications of the equipment over distance. Hiring PGA Tour veteran Jason Gore as director of player relations helped, but Francis confirmed that Mike Whan's many strong relationships with players across the game played a role. important role in his choice as CEO of the USGA.

"I don't know if I will one day be able to get the voices of the players out of my head"said Mike Whan. “I will continue to speak with a lot of players that I have come to know. These are people I respect. I see nothing more important than investing in making sure that when a player wins a USGA Championship, it is the best time of his life. There is nothing more important to me than giving the best athletes in the world the best stages in the world to show their game. "

Of course, how the USGA should measure its effectiveness depends largely on how it is received by everyday golfers, whose acceptance of restrictions imposed by governing bodies is, in the final analysis, voluntary. . As Fay pointed out, "We govern by the power that is not conferred on us". Mike Whan hopes that during his tenure the game in general will come closer to his goalie.

"I want the world of golf to see the USGA as a partner", did he declare. “To develop and protect this game. And by making it more attractive. I know that sometimes we have to make difficult decisions. But I don't just want to be the game's cop. I want to be the person who's in on you. "

With this in mind, the new CEO will soon get to work.

To know more : https://www.usga.org/

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