Ron Cross, a longtime administrator with both the PGA Tour and Augusta National Golf Club, along with television executive Sean Bratches, have joined LIV Golf Investments, the recently announced Greg Norman-run initiative.
Cross will serve as chief events officer while Bratches will be the chief commercial officer for the enterprise, which is expected to announce a new golf league in the near future.
“We believe the game of golf is poised to grow on a global scale and we are ready to make the necessary strategic investments to support its growth,” Norman, the chief executive officer of LIV Golf Investments, said in a release. “The addition of Sean and Ron to our leadership team delivers an unmatched level of experience and expertise that will allow us to make an immediate impact. I’m excited to get to work and look forward to the months ahead.”
Cross worked closely with Augusta National chairman Billy Payne for eight years in the club’s initiatives to grow the game globally. He was involved in partnerships with the R&A, the USGA, the PGA of America and the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation, while helping develop the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, the Latin American Amateur Championship and the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship.
In addition, Cross worked for two decades for the PGA Tour, where he was involved heavily in running many of the tour’s premier events.
“I am honored for the opportunity to work alongside Greg, Sean and the entire LIV Golf Investments team as we work to improve the game of golf on a global level,” Cross said in a statement. “To be a small part of a significant change in the way golf is played and enjoyed while continuing to make a positive impact on the communities we play in is another dream come true for me.”
Bratches spent nearly 30 years at ESPN, becoming executive vice president of sales and marketing while also sitting on the board of directors. He later spent three years as managing director of commercial operations for Formula 1 racing.
“I am energized and excited to join LIV Golf Investments and work to foster sustained growth in the game of golf globally,” Bratches said in the statement. “I am encouraged by the comprehensive vision that we have for the sport and the platform that we will foster to benefit professional golfers, the sport’s commercial partners, and in particular, the passionate fans of golf worldwide.”
The PGA Tour announced Wednesday that Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri, will host the 2030 Presidents Cup.
“St. Louis is a passionate and iconic sports town and one which embraces teams and events such as the Presidents Cup with tremendous enthusiasm,” said PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan. “The combination of St. Louis and Bellerive Country Club will make for a memorable experience for fans onsite and those watching around the world.”
The United States holds the Presidents Cup after the American team, captained by Tiger Woods, defeated the International team, 16-14, in 2019 at Royal Melbourne in Australia.
After adjusting the schedule because of the pandemic, the next Presidents Cup is scheduled for Sept. 22-25, 2022, at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina.
At the 105th PGA Annual Meeting last week in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the PGA of America inducted six new members into the association’s Hall of Fame.
PGA Professionals Kyle Heyen, Ed Ibarguen, Paul K. Levy, Marty Lyons, Gary Reynolds and Al Watrous entered the Hall during a Wednesday ceremony at the Wisconsin Center.
“It’s such a privilege to welcome this incredible group of PGA members,” said PGA president Jim Richerson. “Collectively, we’re able to celebrate legends of the game, visionaries of the industry and highly accomplished PGA professionals who have made an impact on our profession, our PGA members and all those that love the game.”
The Hero Indian Open will be staged Feb. 24-27, marking its return to the European Tour’s Race to Dubai for the first time in three years because of COVID-19 pandemic-related cancellations.
“We are delighted to welcome the Hero Indian Open back to the European Tour in 2022 and thank everyone involved in staging the 56th edition of this historic tournament,” said Keith Pelley, the tour’s chief executive. “As ever, I must mention Hero MotoCorp and Dr. Pawan Munjal for the unwavering support to this event, particularly during these difficult times.
“Dr. Munjal’s vision and commitment to our sport through a variety of unique initiatives is second to none, and we look forward to working together on India’s national open once again. We must also acknowledge the owners of this great event, the Indian Golf Union (IGU), for their hard work in continuing to grow the game of golf in India.”
Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher is the most recent winner of the event, securing his fourth title on the European Tour with his victory in 2019 at DLF Golf and Country Club.
The event was played first in 1964, and was won by Australia’s Peter Thomson.
PGA Tour Champions last week announced its schedule for 2022, featuring 28 events that include a three-tournament, end-of-season run for the Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs. Tour players will compete for more than $62 million in total prize money.
The season begins Jan. 20-22 in Ka’upulehu-Kona, Hawaii, with the Mitsubishi Electric Championship. There will be one new event – the ClubCorp Classic outside Dallas, Texas. Overall, the schedule will visit 20 U.S. states and three international venues.
Because of the pandemic, PGA Tour Champions had combined its 2020 and 2021 seasons.
“Our 2022 schedule features the return of three events – the Trophy Hassan II in Rabat, Morocco, the Hoag Classic in Newport Beach, California, and the Rapiscan Systems Classic in Biloxi, Mississippi – and we look forward to continuing to share the game of golf with our fans at some of the world’s top courses,” said the senior circuit’s president, Miller Brady.
TAP-INS
The European Tour announced the 2022 Genesis Scottish Open will be played at the Renaissance Club in East Lothian for the fourth year in a row (READ MORE) and the 2022 Open de France will be played at 2018 Ryder Cup venue Le Golf National after being canceled in 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic (READ MORE). … Longtime executive director Ed Gowan announced he will retire in February from the Arizona Golf Association. … Callaway Golf announced it will invest in Five Iron Golf, an indoor golf and entertainment company (READ MORE).
Staff and Wire Reports