Seven new faces will join Golf Inc.’s list of the most powerful people in golf when it is unveiled in late September, the magazine announced in early August. Five of the people have never been on the industry’s most anticipated list, and two — Bob Husband and Rory McIlroy — rejoin after a one-year hiatus.
The other new names include: Ted Bishop, Giles Morgan, Eric Wilborts, Ryusuke Kamata and Blake Walker.
Three of new people are Europeans. In addition to McIlroy, Giles Morgan is head of sponsorship and events at HSBC, golf’s leading sponsor. Eric Wilborts is owner of Blue Green Groupe Saur, the largest management company in Europe.
Ryusuke Kamata is CEO of Accordia Golf, one of Japan’s two largest management companies.
Ted Bishop is the current president of the PGA of America, and Blake Walker is CEO of Arcis Equity, which is in the process of acquiring the CNL portfolio of courses.
“It was an eventful year and the list reflects the flush of new capital into the industry and the impending departure of some big names, including Peter Dawson,” said Jack Crittenden, Editor of Golf Inc.
The list is compiled by the Golf Inc. editors through a voting process, and will be published in the Fall issue of Golf Inc. magazine.
“Of note this year, the leaders of the various golf associations saw their power wane,” Crittenden said. “Operators and developers who are flush with cash saw an increase in power.”
The list will include a new number one, to be unveiled when the print magazine ships in late September.
Departures from the list include Wally Uihlein, Nick Faldo, Joe Guerra, Charles Staples, Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, and Annika Sorenstam, the only women to have ever made the list.