The PGA Tour policy board yesterday unanimously approved the appointment of Jay Monahan to replace Tim Finchem as PGA Tour Commissioner. Monahan, currently PGA Tour Deputy Commissioner and COO, will take over for Finchem on Jan. 1, 2017. Finchem is retiring after working as commissioner of the Tour since '94. Monahan joined the Tour in '08 and worked in his previous role since '14 (John Lombardo, Staff Writer). GOLFCHANNEL.com's Will Gray noted Monahan is the fourth commissioner in the Tour's 47-year history, joining Joe Dey, Deane Beman and Finchem (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 11/7). GOLF DIGEST's Joel Beall noted during Finchem's tenure, the Tour purse has "grown substantially." In '94 it was $56.4M; that figure "will be well north" of $300M in '16-17. Finchem "navigated three TV deals, was part of the creation of the Presidents Cup and FedEx Cup playoffs, and played an integral part in the World Golf Foundation's First Tee initiative" (GOLFDIGEST.com, 11/7). Golf Channel's Tripp Isenhour said the transition is "going to be seamless," but Monahan has a "tough act to follow." Golf Channel's Tim Rosaforte said Monahan is going to do a "wonderful job." Rosaforte: "A tough act to follow, Finchem had an unbelievable legacy, among the all-time greats of commissioners of all sports" ("Golf Central," Golf Channel, 11/7).
THE CHALLENGE AHEAD: GOLFWEEK's Jeff Babineau wrote a "familiar face in the big office may change, but many of the challenges will not." Monahan will "inherit an organization that is enjoying a significant amount of momentum." It has "pretty much a fully sponsored tournament lineup, will play" for $339M in prize money in '16-17 and is a "highly tuned charitable-giving machine." There is "much work ahead, but mainly Monahan and the team he assembles will be charged with keeping things speeding along" (GOLFWEEK.com, 11/7). The AP's Doug Ferguson wrote the "first big challenge" for Monahan will likely be the next TV contract. Finchem and Monahan already have been "meeting this summer with media executives to prepare for the next negotiations and figure out where advancements in media fit into the future" (AP, 11/7).
GOING GLOBAL: Golf Channel's Rosaforte noted the Asian market is growing on the European Tour under new CEO Keith Pelley and wondered if there are "enough weeks on the schedule for everybody to go for the same pot of gold." Golf Channel's Robert Damron noted the PGA Tour is "moving more global" with the new WGC event in Mexico City, as well as one in South Korea. Damron: "Finchem has that ball rolling and (Monahan) can't stop it, he's got to keep it going" ("Morning Drive," Golf Channel, 11/8). In California, Larry Bohannan notes the "globalization of the game" is an issue for Monahan. Bohannan: "Do more overseas events hurt the regular domestic events, or will the tour continue to search for sponsorship money outside of the U.S. borders?" (Palm Springs DESERT SUN, 11/8). GOLFWEEK's Babineau highlighted a "few of the issues that will earn" Monahan's early attention. For starters, helping "define a bigger global strategy for the Tour." Second, whether or not the Tour should have "more rigid testing for performance-enhancing drugs, asking for blood samples and not urine." Finally, Monahan will be tasked with finding a way to make the Presidents Cup "more compelling and breathe more life" into its WGC events (GOLFWEEK.com, 11/7).
THIS & THAT: GOLF.com's weekly roundtable discussed how Monahan could evolve the Tour, with Golf magazine's Josh Sens noting the Tour has "started in the right direction by requiring players to add new events to their schedules." Sens: "I'd like to see the Tour step up those requirements, the better to bring top names to some of the light events." Fox Sports' Shane Bacon noted continuing to "evolve in the digital world is something the PGA Tour has taken a big first step with and something they could continue to grow." SI's Jeff Ritter wrote a change in leadership "presents an opportunity to upgrade the Tour's drug testing program and announce player-conduct-related suspensions and fines, as they do in all other major U.S. pro sports leagues." SI senior writer Michael Bamberger wrote the Tour could "do more to make the game more accessible to more people," and it needs to "take more of a leadership role for the overall health of the game" (GOLF.com, 11/6).
