Augusta National Chair BILLY PAYNE will step down in October, and said he will pursue "probably something in the non-profit, humanitarian area" for his next career opportunity, according to Steve Hummer of the ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION. Payne: "That’s where my personal interests are being directed." Payne said he "started to discuss" his next endeavor with his wife MARTHA, and she is a "little nervous about it, given my history." Asked if he would possibly pursue a future in politics, Payne said, "No, sir. A hundred percent no." CBS Sports Chair SEAN MCMANUS said, "I don’t know what the next phase in Billy Payne’s life is going to be. But I know whatever it is he’s going to attack it 110 percent, with full commitment. And I know he’ll be successful with it whatever it is." Hummer notes much of Payne's time will be "spent between homes in Atlanta and out west." On what his future will not include, Payne said, "Certainly not to go to any more countries. I’m up to about 115, mostly from the Olympics, of course. Martha’s travel preference is to the mailbox and back." Payne will "depart from this post certainly more universally complimented than when the torch was snuffed" at his '96 Atlanta Games. On FRED RIDLEY taking over his position, Payne said, "Because Fred and I are such dear friends I, of course, would be responsive to him if he had questions. Very privately of course. But he is so good, he is not going to be asking me for advice. He’s going to know what to do." McManus: "It wouldn’t surprise me if I occasionally hear from him with suggestions, which would be most welcome" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 8/25).
