The Asian Golf Industry Federation reports that Singapore-based Mike Kerr has parted ways with the Asian Tour. The Irishman was appointed to the position of Chief Executive Officer of the circuit in March, 2012.
According to a report in Singapore’s Straits Times newspaper, Kerr resigned ‘after coming under fire from some players for the way he handled negotiations with the European Tour’.
The Asian Tour has been in discussions with the European Tour about a merger. Less than three months ago, Kerr said the merger of the two Tours would ‘see the largest shake-up of the professional game since the European Tour was created more than 40 years ago’.
The Straits Times report said Kerr ‘faced opposition from many Asian Tour players, particularly the vocal Thai contingent’.
One veteran Tour player, speaking on condition of anonymity, was quoted by the Straits Times as saying: “We were not kept informed by Mike Kerr during his discussions with the European Tour – the merger was thrown into our laps at the final stage, and we had little chance to give real input.”
A former ESPN executive, Kerr’s brief when appointed was to ‘help manage the strategic direction of the Tour with the aim of continuing to build and promote the global profile of the circuit and to focus on generating greater playing opportunities for the Asian Tour members’.
At the time of writing an official announcement from the Asian Tour is still awaited
Asian Golf Industry Federation www.agif.asia