Here’s what people are saying about Jay Monahan, who took over as PGA Tour commissioner at the start of the year.
“We have become good friends professionally and personally and we both grew up with the game in our blood. We both realize that when aligned we can accomplish a lot for the game. There is a long list of concepts and opportunities. Jay is an easy person to be around and a great communicator. He’s a straight shooter. There is an energy that will be great for the tour and the players have embraced him.”
— Pete Bevacqua, CEO, PGA of America
“Jay is very integrated with the voice of the player and he is trying to maintain a value to the sponsor. That is a
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Jay Monahan
Photo by: Getty Images |
critical balance in all sports, but more important in our game. Jay has been well mentored by Tim Finchem and he knows the back of the house better than anybody. But he also has had his own time to listen and has new ideas and initiatives. He is even listening to the agents.”
— Steve Loy, President of golf, Lagardère Sports
“Jay is the right guy at the right time. There is more collaboration than ever before and it is the result of the people leading the organizations. It is a new generation in golf. He is terrific with relationships and you can trust him. He builds strong rapport and he wants to do great things.”
— Jon Podany, Chief commercial officer, LPGA
“Jay has knocked it out of the park. He has made a concerted effort to be out at every event, and he has been out front with players. He has stuck his neck out in regard to scheduling and he has been very progressive. Tim Finchem did an amazing job in getting Jay to take all this on.”
— Scott Seymour, Senior vice president and managing director of golf, Octagon
“Jay has empowered his people. There is a lot more clarity in who is coming to meetings and Jay has the right agenda. The tour has gone from the Tiger Tour to the International Tour. The global footprint went up under Finchem, but Jay sees it as a huge opportunity.”
— Jason Langwell, Executive vice president of sponsorship, consulting, experiential and hospitality, Intersport
Jay Monahan’s inner circle
The PGA Tour has not yet publicly updated its organizational chart under Commissioner Jay Monahan, but here are some key executives in his inner circle.
Rick Anderson: Chief media officer
Anderson has a critical role as the tour addresses its new media and digital strategy. Talks already are underway with current partners in CBS and NBC for a new agreement that could become effective in 2019.
Ross Berlin: Senior vice president of player relations
Berlin handles all feedback from the players and keeps Monahan informed of all player-related issues. That’s a key role under Monahan, who has earned high marks for developing strong relationships with the tour’s players.
Ron Cross: Senior vice president, executive affairs
Cross returned to the executive suite last year after leaving the tour as executive director of The Players Championship in 2008 to work as director of corporate affairs at Augusta National. He assists Monahan with a variety of executive duties.
Andy Pazder: Chief tournaments and competitions officer
A longtime tour executive, Pazder is responsible for the property’s tournament operations. He also has input into tour scheduling and event formats, a key task as the tour looks at a possible schedule shake-up.
Ron Price: Chief financial officer
Price is another longtime PGA Tour veteran executive who is seen as a skilled back-of-the house operations expert. His job mainly involves managing the tour’s various internal business operations.
Ty Votaw: Executive vice president, chief marketing officer
Votaw, the former LPGA commissioner who joined the tour in 2006, handles marketing, branding and communications for the tour’s properties. He is also vice president of the International Golf Federation.
Tom Wade: Chief commercial officer
Brian Oliver: Senior vice president of sponsorship and partnership
Wade is a longtime PGA Tour executive and oversees the tour’s vast sponsorship business. Oliver is Wade’s chief lieutenant who handles official marketing partnerships and title deals.
