World Long Drive (WLD) has announced that former IMG Golf executive W. David Livingston has been named chief commercial officer of the preeminent competitive tour for golf’s longest hitters.
An experienced marketer with a career forged building brand programs and platforms connected to sports and entertainment, Livingston created athlete endorsements and title sponsorships for 15 years at IMG Golf, ultimately leading sales and business development for the division. .
“We are thrilled to welcome W. David Livingston to World Long Drive and look forward to what he can bring to our sport,” GF Sports & Entertainment President Shawn Tilger said. “His passion for long drive, combined with his first-hand experiences and expertise as a leader in the golf space, allow him to hit the ground running. We’re excited to see how he helps us continue to grow the sport of long drive.”
Livingston, an Atlanta resident, recently served as vice president of global partnerships for Oak View Group (OVG), guided business operations as president of the Atlanta Legends of the Alliance of American Football (AAF), and directed business development for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He began his career in brand management at Procter and Gamble. Livingston earned his B.A. and his M.B.A from Cornell University.
“My career has centered on commercial partnerships and business development and I am excited to join a tour that has brand recognition around the world,” Livingston said. “I’m happy to remain connected to golf, a sport I’ve worked closely with and cared about for a long time, while learning the intricacies of ‘golf at full throttle.’ It’s an honor to be part of the team that will help this sport continue to evolve and progress.”
The World Long Drive season teed off in March in Huntington Beach, California, as Kelly Rudney and Justin James captured the Women’s Division and Open Division titles, respectively. World Long Drive’s next event is May 17-19 in Memphis. The 2024 season will finish with the
World Championship, held at Bobby Jones Golf Course in Atlanta, in August.
The European Long Drive Games/WLD Europe is an affiliate of World Long Drive.