Q&A
Newell says the USGA is also focusing on the environmental footprint of golf courses an how the industry should move forward.
to basics. We studied the history of every single rule. … Many
things that we thought had been unchanged for hundreds of years
actually had changed many, many times along the way. We were
able to identify the core principles of the game. We might look at
changing a lot of rules, but we’re not changing the essence of the
game. We allowed ourselves to ask the question, ‘would this help
the game for this to be different?’ Do we need this technicality?
Do we need this complexity? Do we need that penalty? Are there
things that fit the way golf is played now and in the future that
would be a little bit better?
them and ask questions and voice concerns was very helpful. … The
World Handicap System is something we’ve been working on for
five years. We’re close to having that ready to put in place so that
the work can be done for it to go live in 2020. … Another initiative
that we’re very focused on is the footprint of golf courses and the
challenges for the industry going forward, both economically
and environmentally. It really goes to a variety of issues, from
the constant lengthening of courses as related to the issue of dis-
tance; to the use of water and other resources; the issues related
to government regulation. In the
end, it does really come back to the
golfer in terms of the cost to run a
facility, and therefore, the cost for
the golfer to play.
“An essential part of
our role is to continue to
preserve what’s best about
the game—the spirit of
competition and the great
spirit of sportsmanship
that comes with
the game.”
VG: What are the biggest respon-
sibilities that go into being USGA
president? How have you pre-
pared to undertake this role?
VG: Where do you see the game of
MN: An important piece of it is
golf heading in the next 10 years?
to understand what our roles are.
MN: I don’t know that I have a
This organization is led by the
better crystal ball than anyone
chief executive officer Mike Davis
else. An essential part of our role
and his leadership team and the
is to continue to preserve what’s
entire staff. They’re the full-time
best about the game—the spirit of
employees and the experts, and
competition and the great spir-
they manage this organization.
it of sportsmanship that comes
The role of the president—and
—Mark Newell
with the game. At the same time,
our executive committee, all
we know the world has changed a
of whom are volunteers—is to
lot. People have much less time.
provide strategic direction and
They’re very focused on technology. … That obviously means a
oversight, and to work with them to give them the support and
focus on shorter rounds, or nine-hole rounds. We have our Play9
resources they need to accomplish our many objectives.
campaign that has been highly successful. That may evolve into
trying to make sure courses are more flexible than even that in
VG: What kinds of initiatives will you push during your term?
supporting new ways to experience what golf is. I think things
MN: For one, a number of things that are already underway. Two
like TopGolf have been a great thing for this sport. It’s helped to
of the obvious examples are Rules modernization and the World
introduce people to what it’s about and, ultimately, make some
Handicap System. (In early March) we expect to announce the final
people golfers. … We need to increase diversity and inclusivity.
Rules of Golf for 2019, which will reflect some changes from what
We need to help more juniors get playing. All of these things are
we proposed last March based, I might add, on terrific feedback
about adaptability so that golf, as the great sport that it’s been for
from the golf community. We found that the process of publishing
600 years, continues to grow and adapt as the world changes.
the draft Rules, creating a period to allow people to comment on
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M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 18 | V I R G I N I A G O L F E R
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