Vernon Outlines Core Functions



By Ken Klavon, USGA

Houston - In his first official speech as the USGA's 60 ^th president, Jim Vernon, at times passionate, emphasized core areas of the Association. There were many.

Vernon, 58, listed championships, equipment, aggressive Internet growth and preserving the game's history as keystone points. Conducting the best national championships is paramount, he said, and how the new Arnold Palmer Center For Golf History, scheduled to open June 3, will serve as a repository for golf artifacts, literature, film and videos. It will also serve as the leading golf research facility in the world.

As for equipment issues, Vernon was succinct.

"We are committed to basing the rules on scientifically supported facts and not anecdotes," said Vernon.

State and regional golf associations were identified as vital to the functioning of the USGA. Vernon, the former president of the Southern California Golf Association, lauded the state and regional associations for helping conduct roughly 700 qualifiers, assisting in the administering of the USGA Handicap System and the course rating system. "You are core to the mission of the USGA."

Early in his speech, Vernon told a story about receiving a letter from a woman who explained that her son and husband were avid golfers but suffered from cancer. She had hoped they could still volunteer at Torrey Pines, site of this year's U.S. Open, because they had missed the deadline to file an application due to medicinal treatments.

" What is it about this game ?" said Vernon. "This passion and spirit of volunteerism flows from many of the functions of the USGA."

Vernon promised that the Grants Initiative would still remain a priority and that the USGA will continue to work closely with the PGA of America, calling the organization the doctors of the sport. "We recognize the USGA does not operate in a vacuum," he said. "It does not operate the game as a monopoly."

Finally, he turned his attention to supporters and wife, Gail.

"Thank you for your support. And, Gail, I'll see you in two years," he said to laughter, referencing the busy times that lay ahead.

KenKlavonis the USGA's Editor of New Media. E-mail him with questions or comments at kklavon@usga.org.