Trevor Immelman, the 2008 Masters champion and lead golf analyst for CBS Sports, has added another job title: chairman of the Official World Golf Ranking.
The 45-year-old South African will succeed Peter Dawson, the former R&A chief executive, as OWGR chairman in April. Dawson had served in the role since 2016. Immelman, who captained the International Presidents Cup team in 2022, will continue in his broadcasting post with CBS.
“The Official World Golf Ranking has always been a huge part of my life and professional career,” Immelman said. “Growing up in South Africa and falling in love with the game as a youngster, the ranking system was how I tracked and followed my favorite players and understood who the best players in the world were.
“Then, as I turned professional, my focus on the rankings intensified, as I knew being in the top 50 allowed me to play in the biggest tournaments around the world. I am extremely honored to follow in the footsteps of Sir Michael Bonallack and Peter Dawson as chairman, and I look forward to working closely with board members to ensure OWGR remains committed to its mission.” READ MORE
Arnold Palmer’s former California home is on the market. The four-bedroom hacienda-style retreat, located near the clubhouse of the Tradition Golf Club in La Quinta – a course Palmer designed – is listed for $5 million, Bloomberg first reported. The current owner, Louise Bellisimo, bought the home from Palmer’s widow, Kit Gawthrop, in 2022. READ MORE
Tom Place, who served as the PGA Tour’s director of information from 1971-92, died on Christmas Day at his Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, home. He was 97. A tribute to Place published in the Florida Times-Union called him “a one-man show at many tournament sites, running the media centers at nearly 40 events a year” in an era before ShotLink and computerized scoring.
“I just loved the man,” former tour player and TV announcer Steve Melnyk told the newspaper. “He was so gracious, so courteous, and had to do his job without a lot of the resources they have now.” READ MORE
Tap-Ins
Ron Price, the PGA Tour’s chief operating officer, retired on Jan. 1. READ MORE
The PGA of America named noted golf photographer Fred Vuich the fifth recipient of its Lifetime Achievement Award in Photojournalism. Vuich will receive the award in April at the annual ISPS Handa Golf Writers Association of America dinner in Augusta, Georgia. READ MORE
The 2025 United States Disabled Golf Association Championship will return to PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida, for the third consecutive year. It will be held May 4-7. READ MORE
Compiled by Mike Cullity