Don Rea, embroiled in controversy following last year’s Ryder Cup, has been replaced as president of the PGA of America.
In a statement late Friday afternoon, the governing body said the move “followed a series of issues over time that, taken together, were determined to be detrimental to the Association.” The PGA said Nathan Charnes would move from vice president to acting until November, when Rea’s two-year term would have ended.
Rea took heat at last September’s Ryder Cup, which was run by the PGA of America, for a number of actions, including:
– His comments to the BBC on the Sunday of the event. The day before, spectators at Bethpage Black on Long Island had turned unruly on the European team, and Rea, when asked about it, began his response this way:
“Well, you’ve got 50,000 people here who are really excited, and, heck, you can go to a youth football game and get a few people saying the wrong thing. We tell the fans that yelling at someone doesn’t make them play worse. It usually makes them play better. And when our American players have to control the crowd, it distracts the game.”
Rea was then asked specifically about fan comments towards Rory McIlroy, who was playing for Europe.
“I haven’t heard some of this,” he said. “I’m sure it happened. You know, it happens when we’re in Rome on the other side. And Rory understands. I thought he handled the press conference yesterday amazingly. But yeah, things like that are going to happen. I don’t know what was said. But all I know is that golf is the engine of good.”
A day later, Rea sent a letter to members of the PGA of America condemning the fans’ behavior, and he apologized. “Although it was not my intention,” Rea wrote, “some of my comments were seen in a negative light that reflects poorly not only on myself but also on the PGA of America and for that I truly apologize.” McIlroy too said in November that Rea had reached out to apologize.
– His karaoke performance on the Saturday night of the event. After playing unruly that afternoon, Rea was recorded singing “Lose Yourself” by Eminem, and her video was found and circulated. from The Fried Egg golf site.
– A comment on Sunday during the trophy ceremony. After Europe won the event 15-13, Rea said the Europeans retained the cup, rather than winning it outright.
in February, Golfweek’s Adam Schupak reported that Rea had been reassigned to handle “primary member benefits.” At last week’s PGA Championship, another PGA of America event, Rea was not seen in public. At a press conference the day before the tournament, PGA of America CEO Terry Clark was asked about PGA of America governance and why Rea was not at the media session, and he said Rea was focused on “how we feel about our membership.”
