Golf Inc magazine has published its annual ‘Most Powerful People in Golf list’, which sees Troon CEO Tim Schantz and Executive Chairman Dana Garmany share the top spot in a top-25 list that is dominated by club management and Tour executives.
David Pillsbury, CEO at Invited (formerly known as ClubCorp), and Chip Brewer, president and CEO of Topgolf Callaway Brands, round out the top three that are unchanged from a year ago.
The biggest mover is LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman, who rose from 22nd in 2021 to seventh on this year’s list. Meanwhile, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan dropped from 4th to 10th.
Despite playing just three times in 2022, Tiger Woods rose from 18th to 11th in the rankings on the back of the leadership role he has played in supporting the cause of the PGA Tour in the face of the threat posed by LIV Golf, along with his recent branching out into the events business with the launch of TMRW Sports in partnership with Rory McIlroy.
Two golf course architects feature prominently in the list, with Mike Keiser taking 12th spot, one ahead of Gil Hanse.
DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley saw his stock drop two places, from 12th to 14th, but that was nowhere near the fall experienced by former US President Donald Trump, who sank nine places from 11 to 20 in the face of a series of ongoing legal disputes over the valuation of some of his golf properties and other real estate assets.
Jay Karen, CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association, and Cho Minn Thant, commissioner and CEO of the Asian Tour, broke into the list for the first time at 24th and 25th, respectively.
To see the full list, visit golfincmagazine.com.