Golf Inc. magazine recently released its '12 list of the most powerful people in the sport, and this year's ranking "reflects an industry that is seeing tepid improvement." The people who made the biggest movements this year "are the developers, buyers and operators who have money to invest." But the top of the list is "still dominated by operators and organization leaders," including Troon Golf Chair & CEO DANA GARMANY at No. 1 for the second consecutive year (GOLF INC., fall issue).
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35 MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE IN GOLF
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RANK
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NAME |
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1
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Troon Golf Chair & CEO Dana Garmany |
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2
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Nicklaus Cos. Chair Jack Nicklaus |
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3
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ClubCorp President & CEO Eric Affeldt |
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4
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PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem |
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5
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R&A CEO Peter Dawson |
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6
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Trump Organization Chair Donald Trump |
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7
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European Tour Chief Exec George O'Grady |
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8
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Billy Casper Golf CEO & Chair Peter Hill |
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9
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PGA of America CEO Joe Steranka |
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10
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Gary Player Golf CEO Gary Player |
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11
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Developer Mike Keiser |
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12
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USGA Exec Dir Mike Davis |
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13
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KemperSports CEO Steve Skinner & President Josh Lesnick |
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14
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Century Golf Partners/Arnold Palmer Golf Management CEO Jim Hinckley |
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15
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TaylorMade-adidas Golf CEO Mark King |
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16
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China Golf Assoc. Vice Chair and Forward Management Group President Wang Jun |
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17
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Fore Golf partners Charlie Staples, Tom Bennison and Mike Miraglia |
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18
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Faldo Enterprises Chair Nick Faldo |
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19
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World Golf Foundation CEO Steve Mona |
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20
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Architect Gil Hanse |
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21
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Acushnet Co. Chair & CEO Wally Uihlein |
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22
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Mission Hills Group Chair Ken Chu and Vice Chair Tenniel Chu |
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23
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Sequoia Golf Group President & CEO Joe Guerra |
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24
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Golfer Tiger Woods |
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25
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ClubLink Chair & CEO Rai Sahi |
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26
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Great White Shark Enterprises Chair & CEO Greg Norman |
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27
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Heritage Golf Group CEO Bob Husband |
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28
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Coore & Crenshaw co-Founders Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw |
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29
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Pacific Golf Management President Arihiro Kanda |
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30
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Golfer Rory McIlroy |
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31
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ISM Founder Chubby Chandler |
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32
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Kohler Co. President & Chair Herb Kohler |
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33
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Concert Golf Partners Managing Partner Peter Nanula |
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34
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The National Golf Foundation President & CEO Joe Beditz |
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35
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Arnold Palmer Design Co. President Arnold Palmer |
THEIR PICKS: Golf Channel’s Damon Hack said the USGA's Davis is the “most influential leader in golf today” because he “rules with intelligence and humility. He’s respected across the board.” Golf Channel’s Gary Williams: “I think it's Mike Davis. He’s accessible. He’s changed the persona that most people have of the USGA. He’s willing to talk. He’s willing to listen.” Golf Channel’s Ryan Burr said, “It’s easy. It’s Tiger Woods. Tiger is the leader. When Tiger speaks, people listen. If Tiger wants something, he can get it done” (
“Morning Drive,” Golf Channel, 11/6).
