The IR&A has appointed rugby club CEO Mark Darbon as its new chief executive and secretary of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews in Scotland, the governing board announced on Monday.
Darbon, who is Northampton Saints chief executive, replaces Martin Slumbers, who announced on January 10 that he will retire at the end of this year.
“I am delighted and honored to take up these positions with The R&A and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and to move on to golf, a sport I have always loved,” Darbon said in a statement.
“The IR&A is a world-renowned organization and does a lot to ensure that golf thrives from the grassroots level to the professional game. I look forward to working with the highly talented staff, club membership and many partner organizations to achieve even more success in the coming years.”
Darbon, 45, has been a senior member of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games organizing committee. Last month, he helped guide Northampton Saints to their first Premiership title since 2014.
Darbon previously served as executive vice president of Tough Mudder and CEO of Madison Sports Group, which creates an international chain of cycling events.
“We are very impressed with Mark’s experience and knowledge of the global sports industry and his ability to develop successful teams and deliver great events,” R&A chairman Niall Farquharson said in a statement. “We believe he will be an excellent leader for The R&A and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and will play a key role in helping us achieve our goal of ensuring a bright and sustainable future for golf.”
Slumbers, who has served in this role for the past nine years, will oversee this month’s Open Championship, scheduled for July 18-21 at Royal Troon Golf Course in Scotland, and the AIG Women’s Open at the Old Course in St. Andrews on Aug. 22-25.
DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley stepped down in April and accepted a job with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment in his home country of Canada. On Wednesday, PGA of America chief Seth Waugh announced he was not renewing his contract, which expired on Sunday.
Source link
