Golf Business News – Guy Kinnings Elected International Golf Federation Board Chairman

Guy Kinnings, CEO of the European Tour, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Board of the International Golf Federation (IGF).

Following the latest Board meeting held on Wednesday, 10 April, at the Augusta National Golf Club, Kinnings will now take part until 2027, including the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Antony Scanlon, IGF Executive Director, said: “We are delighted that Guy will serve as Chairman of the IGF Board, and IGF President Annika Sörenstam, will provide leadership and guidance as we continue to promote international development. the game of golf.

“Guy brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our board and coupled with his history at Le Golf National since the 2018 Ryder Cup, he will play a key role as we approach the Paris 2024 Olympics.”

Kinnings said: “I am delighted to accept this role with the International Golf Federation as we continue to develop our game globally and embrace the Olympic and Paralympic Movement.

“I have known Annika and Antony for several years, and I look forward to working together, along with each member of the Federations and Tours, to demonstrate the inclusivity of our sport and to show the world that golf is a great sport for all. .”

Kinnings takes over as IGF Chairman from former European Tour Group CEO Keith Pelley, who recently joined Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd in Toronto, Canada.

Kinnings, a law graduate from the University of Oxford, with over three decades of experience in the golf industry, joined the European Tour Group ahead of the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in France and as Executive Director – Ryder Cup and oversees the growth of the Global Partner Program for the two-year competition. He was also responsible for the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome – the most successful program to be held in Europe.

Additionally, Kinnings served as the European Tour Group's Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, overseeing the growth of the Tour's commercial operation. Alongside the DP World Tour's Board and Executive Leadership Team, Kinnings helped secure a Strategic Alliance with the PGA TOUR for 2020 and was instrumental in an agreement with DP World to be the title partner of the European Tour's premier team tour at the start of the tournament . 2022 season.

Early in his career, Kinnings was a member of IMG's legal team in London in 1989 before moving to its golf division in 1991 where he worked with and managed some of the world's best players in the professional game. He went on to become Senior Vice President International and Global Head of Golf, leading the company's global golf business, including both clients and events, as well as managing its key relationships with all governing bodies and brands involved in the game.