Don Rea
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The PGA of America has suspended president Don Rea Jr. for the remainder of his term, replacing him with vice president Nathan Charnes, the association’s board of directors announced last Friday.
According to a PGA news release, the board’s action “followed a series of issues over time that, taken together, were determined to be detrimental to the association.”
Rea came under fire for his actions at the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, most notably his controversial comments to the BBC regarding fans’ abuse of Rory McIlroy and other European players. Since the Ryder Cup, his public appearances on behalf of the PGA have been limited, with Charnes assuming an elevated role while the association explained that Rea’s role would be more member-focused. Rea was removed from the PGA Tour Policy Board in February and replaced by Charnes.
Rea’s two-year term as president was set to expire in November. READ MORE
The USGA and R&A have finalized the eight-player teams that will represent the United States and Great Britain & Ireland in the 2026 Curtis Cup Match next month at Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles.
The USGA completed the U.S. team with the addition of Kary Hollenbaugh, Jasmine Koo, Avery Weed and Kelly Xu. They join Farah O’Keefe, Kiara Romero, Asterisk Talley and Anna Davis, who were previously named to the squad.
The Great Britain & Ireland team will comprise Beth Coulter, Sophia Fullbrook, Lily Hirst, Isla McDonald-O’Brien, Charlotte Naughton, Nellie Ong, Patience Rhodes and Davina Xanh. READ MORE
Tap-Ins
The PGA of America REACH Foundation, in partnership with the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and PGA Tour Superstore, will award funding to 32 First Tee chapters to create PGA Jr. League programming. The funding, which comes from a previously announced $7.6 million grant to the PGA of America REACH Foundation by the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, will provide 6,000 PGA Jr. League scholarships and expand access to the sport for First Tee participants over the next three years. READ MORE
Compiled by Mike Cullity
