Don Rea, embroiled in controversy following events at 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 that 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 be moved from vice president to acting president until November, when Rea’s two-year term was to have ended.
Rea had caught heat at last September’s Ryder Cup, which was run by the PGA of America, over a series of actions, including:
– His comments to the BBC on the Sunday of the event. A day earlier, spectators at Bethpage Black on Long Island had turned unruly turned toward the European team, and Rea, after being asked about that, started his answer this way:
“Well, you got 50,000 people here that are really excited, and, heck, you can go to a youth soccer game and get some people who say the wrong things. We tell the fans booing at somebody doesn’t make them play worse. Typically it makes them play better. And when our American players have to control the crowds, that distracts from playing.”
Rea was then asked specifically about fan comments toward Rory McIlroy, who was playing for Europe.
“I haven’t heard some of that,” he said. “I’m sure it’s happened. You know, it happens when we’re over 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 golf is the engine of good.”
One day later, Rea sent a letter to PGA of America members condemning the fan behavior, and he apologized. “While it wasn’t my intention,” Rea wrote, “some of my comments were seen in a negative light which reflects poorly on not only myself but also on the PGA of America and for that I truly apologize.” McIlroy also said in November that Rea had reached out to apologize.
– His karaoke performance on the Saturday night of the event. Following the unruly play that afternoon, Rea was recorded singing “Lose Yourself” by Eminem, and video of that was found and circulated by The Fried Egg golf website.
– A comment on Sunday during the trophy ceremony. After Europe won the event 15-13, Rea said the Europeans retained the cup, instead of winning it outright.
In February, Golfweek’s Adam Schupak reported that Rea had been reassigned to handle “member-first priorities.” At last week’s PGA Championship, another PGA of America event, Rea was not publicly seen. At a press conference on the day before the tournament, PGA of America CEO Terry Clark was asked about PGA of America governance and why Rea wasn’t at the media session, and he said that Rea had been focused on “how we think about our membership.”
A reporter then asked if the move was related to Rea’s Ryder Cup comments.
“I think you’re specifically talking to Don and his comments,” Clark said. “Specifically, what we’ve asked is for Don to keep his focus on the member side, and we’ve tried to keep the right responsibilities across our distinct leaders in here. So that’s it.”
