Martin Slumbers resigns as chief executive of R&A today [December 13] After nearly ten years of service to the governing body.
During his tenure which began in 2015, Schlumboth played a leading role in driving a number of significant changes that had a positive impact not only on the internal workings of the R&A and Royal & Ancient Golf Club, but on many areas of the wider game The positive impact has been made, from hosting the Open Championship and the Women's Open, to numerous initiatives to help grow the sport at amateur level around the world.
After first announcing his decision to step down as chief executive in January, Schlumbos said: “It has been a privilege to serve golf at the highest level. I am proud to represent the staff of the R&A, the members of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club and all of us. of global partners. In any profession, there comes a time when it is the next generation's turn. I am honored to be a custodian of everything that the R&A and the game of golf more broadly represents.
Key successes during his tenure include the dramatic commercial growth of the Open Championship and Women's Open, with prize money for both events increasing significantly during his tenure due to the influx of new sponsors.
The Open has also grown significantly during Schlumbos's reign, with the championship now attracting more than 250,000 spectators each week. His decision to turn it into a pre-sale event and make it impossible to purchase tickets on the day caused criticism at the time but has since become the accepted norm for nearly every major global sporting event in the modern era.
The decision to bring the tournament back to Royal Portrush, which hosted the Open in 2019 after an absence of almost 70 years and will host the event for a third time in 2025, has been widely welcomed, although The acquisition of the Scottish resort by the Trump Organization has been a source of controversy.
“I think we've moved it [The Open] “There's still a long way to go,” Slubbs said. “We are very focused on being one of the greatest sporting events in the world. It has grown in size. Its brand has grown. I think its reputation has grown. I'm very proud of the British Open.
Slumbers is also proud of the growth of the AIG Women's Open (formerly known as the Women's British Open), which now has nearly $10 million in prize money. He said the tournament had been “a shoestring operation” before but insisted it had now become “one of the best women's tournaments in the world”.
Elevating women’s presence in a sport that has always been dominated by men is one of Schlumbos’ biggest success stories. The merger of the R&A and the Ladies Golf League took place early in his administration.
While the women's professional game is in much better shape than ever with Slumbers leaving the R&A, the men's professional game is in the midst of huge changes, with the schism created by the arrival of LIV Golf in 2021 continuing to drive major tours a wedge between.
In an interview with Golf Channel a few weeks before his departure, Schlumbos said the current divisions in men's golf needed to be “ended quickly” for the greater good of the sport.
He said: “We really need the professional game to adjust itself in this regard and support the huge momentum in our sport as a whole. Our divisive stance in the professional game is very harmful to golf. It damages us as a sport. Reputation of sport.
“I hope we have peace now because we need to get some stability. We need to see the game become financially sustainable because it can't continue like this. If we are to have a long-term future, we need to stop talking too much money, and refocus on the values of the sport, and if we do that, I think the public will start watching it again.
Schlumbos leaves his role in good health in the amateur game, with the number of club members and people experiencing the game in all its forms rising significantly, driven in part by golf's popularity during and after the pandemic, but also by There has been a push towards a more welcoming and inclusive attitude towards golf facilities, from golf clubs to driving ranges and indoor golf courses.
Slumbers is also at the forefront of reducing the impact of modern equipment technology on the challenges posed by golf's historic championship venues, and is scheduled to be operational in 2028 to limit the distance of ball flight for elite players. For perspective, both the golf course and the sport have been a theme during his tenure.
Schlumboth, who was awarded an OBE for his services to golf in the King's Birthday Honors List in June, said: “Golf has always been a big part of my life and has been very important to me over the years. Beneficial. When I took on this role at the R&A in 2015, I was motivated to give back to the game I loved and had a desire to increase its popularity and appeal. A wonderful experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
R&A chairman Niall Farquharson said: “We are lucky to have a chief executive of Martin’s caliber who has led the organization through a period of growth and raised the profile and reputation of our sport, making it more accessible , more attractive and inclusive.
“Through his wider stature and influence within the golf and sporting world, and through his investment in the game through increased Open revenue, he has remained true to R&A Golf's aim of thriving 50 years later and demonstrated change Sexual performance. He often spoke of reflecting history in a modern way that would be his legacy to the R&A and the club.
Slumbers' successor at the R&A is Mark Darbon, 45, the former chief executive of Northampton Saints rugby club who has had an extensive career in sports events management, including in 2012 Served on the London Olympic Organizing Committee.
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