Mark Darbon named new chief exec., Golf Membership of St. Andrews

The R&A has tabbed rugby membership CEO Mark Darbon as its new chief govt and secretary of The Royal and Historic Golf Membership of St. Andrews in Scotland, the governing board introduced on Monday.

Darbon, CEO of the Northampton Saints, replaces Martin Slumbers, who introduced on Jan. 10 that he’s retiring on the finish of this yr.

“I’m thrilled and honored to be taking on these positions with The R&A and The Royal and Historic Golf Membership of St Andrews and to be shifting into golf, a sport I’ve at all times beloved,” Darbon mentioned in a press release.

“The R&A is a globally famend group and does a lot to make sure that golf prospers from grassroots by means of to the skilled sport. I’m trying ahead to working with a vastly proficient workforce of employees, the membership membership and such a powerful array of companion organizations to attain much more success within the years to return.”

Darbon, 45, is a former senior member of the London Olympic Video games and Paralympic Video games organizing committee. Final month, he helped information the Northampton Saints to their first Premiership title since 2014.

Darbon beforehand labored as senior vice chairman of Robust Mudder and CEO of Madison Sports activities Group, which created a global collection {of professional} observe biking occasions.

“We had been drastically impressed with Mark’s data and expertise of the worldwide sport business and his capability to develop profitable groups and ship unbelievable occasions,” R&A boss Niall Farquharson mentioned in a press release. “We imagine he shall be a wonderful chief for The R&A and The Royal and Historic Golf Membership of St Andrews and can play a key function in serving to us to attain our aim of guaranteeing a affluent and sustainable future for golf.”

Slumbers, who served within the function for the previous 9 years, will oversee this month’s Open Championship, scheduled for July 18-21 at Royal Troon Golf Course in Scotland, and the AIG Girls’s Open on the Previous Course at St. Andrews on Aug. 22-25.

DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley stepped down in April and accepted a job with Maple Leaf Sports activities and Leisure in his native Canada. On Wednesday, PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh introduced that he was not renewing his contract, which expired Sunday.