May 1, 2013 - ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - USA GOLF Federation, recognized by the United States Olympic Committee as the national governing body that will officially name and manage the men’s and women’s U.S. Olympic golf teams, has announced the six members of its Board of Directors.

USA GOLF also announced the launch of the organization’s website, which will be hosted by the USOC. The address is teamusa.org/USA-golf.

The Board of Directors includes representation from USA GOLF’s four Founding Members: the LPGA, PGA of America, PGA TOUR and United States Golf Association.

Co-chairing the Board are John Bodenhamer, USGA Senior Managing Director of Rules, Competitions and Equipment Standards; and Kerry Haigh, The PGA of America’s Chief Championships Officer.

The other members are: Ross Berlin, PGA TOUR Senior Vice President of Player Affairs; Heather Daly-Donofrio, LPGA Senior Vice President of Tour Operations; and two Athlete Directors, Allison Duncan of the LPGA and Paul Goydos of the PGA TOUR.

“All of us at USA GOLF are excited to launch the organization that will select and support the men and women who will comprise Team USA as golf returns to the 2016 Olympic Games,” Bodenhamer said. “It is an exciting time for our sport and we look forward to its presence on the Olympic stage spurring a renewed interest for the game in our country and around the globe.”

“It is indeed an honor and privilege to represent The PGA of America as co-chair of USA GOLF, as we share in the countdown to what we anticipate will be a compelling new chapter in our sport,” Haigh said. “The PGA of America was founded on the principles of elevating our profession and growing the game, and we are excited about what lies ahead in the next Summer Olympic Games.”

In addition, Andy Levinson, Executive Director of PGA TOUR Policy Administration, was appointed as Executive Director of USA GOLF. Levinson is responsible for the organization’s day-to-day operations.

“I’m look forward to working with the Board and the Founding Members to serve the best interests of USA GOLF and U.S. Olympic Golf,” Levinson said. “Without question, the combined resources of the Founding Members will maximize the chances for the U.S. to compete effectively at the Olympic Games, starting in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.”

USA GOLF was created by the Founding Members because of certain and distinct requirements of a national governing body that are best served by the combined expertise of the four organizations. It was certified by the USOC as the sport’s national governing body in a meeting on Sept. 24, 2011, in Colorado Springs, Colo.

“The addition of golf to the Olympic Program for the 2016 Olympic Games is exciting and the formation of USA GOLF’s board of directors represents good progress,” said USOC CEO Scott Blackmun. “We look forward to working with USA GOLF to ensure that the members of our Olympic Team have the resources necessary to be successful.”

Headquartered at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla., USA GOLF received National Federation membership in the International Golf Federation, which is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the official international federation for golf.

USA GOLF Federation announces Board of Directors, launches website

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