Fansided

Diana Murphy to become next USGA president

ByAndy Erk|
Jun 17, 2015; University Place, WA, USA; USGA flags on top of the first hole grandstand during practice rounds on Wednesday at Chambers Bay. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 17, 2015; University Place, WA, USA; USGA flags on top of the first hole grandstand during practice rounds on Wednesday at Chambers Bay. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports

Diana Murphy to become second female USGA president.

Women in the sports world is a touchy subject with many in the sports world. Women often find themselves pushed to positions that are out of the direct spotlight in a career area dominated by men. Golf is an area in the sports world that has been a little ahead of the trend by previously having Judy Bell as president of the USGA to the new kid on the block: Diana Murphy.

Several months have passed with no decision on the next USGA president. Until now. Diana Murphy is set to become the second female USGA president, according to Golf Digest. The announcement of Murphy as the next USGA president will come tomorrow, Monday, November, 30th. Murphy will be taking over 20 years after Judy Bell held the position, becoming the second woman President in the 121-year history of the USGA.

The USGA President is decided by the Executive Committee, who gives a list of viable candidates for several positions including the president several months ahead of the annual USGA meetings. Murphy has been serving on the Executive Committee for five years and holds the position as USGA vice president. Murhpy’s husband-Reg-held the position as USGA president back in 1994-95.

Prior to her position on the Executive Committee, Murphy was managing director of Chartwell Capital Management Company. With her time there, serving on several other boards, and her background in Journalism from West Virginia University, Murphy is well qualified to become the next USGA president.

Many speculate her background in communications give her the ground to fix some of the current problems with the USGA. The poorly received U.S. Open from Chambers Bay, which was aired on Fox Sports, cost Fox 1.1 billion and the USGA an 11-year commitment. With poor feedback, Murphy’s background seems fitting in giving her the chance to fix what people are not liking about the Fox golf team and the venues being shown on television.

Bringing a woman on as president of the USGA shows just how far woman have come in the sports world. It is a welcome change that offers a new perspective and can draw in a wide range of golfers from women, to amateurs. Murphy only holds a 15 handicap index. Making her golf game relatable to all. This should delight young golfers and sport professionals everywhere as the dawning of a new era. Hopefully, in the near future this will no longer be news, but a normality in the sports world.

Home/Golf