PGA European Tour Appoints David Williams Chairman Of Board Of Directors

DAVID WILLIAMS has been appointed chairman of the board of directors of The PGA European Tour effective in January. Williams will be responsible for building on the legacy left by NEIL COLES, further developing the Tour and its business activities around the world. He is currently chair of the operating partners at Duke Street Capital and acts on the boards of a number of businesses in this capacity. Williams has an MSc in management from the London Business School, where he was a governor (European Tour). The BBC's Iain Carter wrote the appointment "is aimed at boosting the Tour's commercial power" -- Williams has more than 30 years experience in consumer, leisure and retail fields. European Tour Dir DAVID JONES said, "We have chosen a chairman who brings a powerful business background." The Tour "has been under increased commercial pressure following the European economic downturn with more of its top players basing themselves on the rival PGA Tour" in the U.S. (BBC, 12/2).