PGA Tour Lighter One C-Level Salary; And One Less Finchem Heir

Garry Smits reports on Rick George, PGA Tour operations chief and the best Tim Finchem suit bag carrier I've ever seen, leaving to take the COO job with the Texas Rangers.

“People could speculate, but no one can predict the future,” George said. “Obviously, my future at the Tour was something I considered. But whether I was on a short list or not, I had to weigh what was best for my family at this point.”

“Rick has been a valuable member of our executive team over the past seven years,” Finchem said in a statement. “We wish to thank [him] for his many contributions and wish him the very best in his new endeavor.”

Of course this could be a brilliant move by George since no one seems to believe there is a suitable in-house replacement for Finchem. Well, George isn't in-house anymore!

Comments

[Joel]

Now he can carry the suit for Nolan Ryan.

[Nimrod, Architect of Babel]

Does it surprise anyone that the move was lateral? The PGA is a freaking JOKE. Where is Woody Guthrie when you need him?

[Old Hornet]

A penny for the thoughts of Deane Bemen. What's the odds we'll ever see another Commissioner that actually played the game, instead of a lawyer / advisor from the bowels of Washington ?

[Jim S]

That was a nicely passive aggressive quote from Rick. I get the feeling that despite Tim Finchem's outward appearance as an idiot, he seems to have Godfather-like boardroom skills.

[smails]

Does anybody think that a tour player is qualified to run a $300 mm business? Beman came along at the right time-smart guy who was good at golf. does anybody think that joe ogilvie could run a business this big? all sports leagues are run by professional managers except baseball--which could benefit from one.

rick george clearly was not going to get the top job so he left-big deal. there are a number of guys at the tour that will leave after finchy's succession plan is resolved.

[Old Hornet]

@ smails

Agree that Bemen was a guy with vision and in the right place at the right time. There are astute business people that have played at the top level in the amateur ranks. That said, it's also a reason to stay away from the elitist money pit.

[BenSeattle]

You're telling me that in-house and former-Commissioner-himself -- one-time LPGA head Ty Votaw isn't the natural successor to Timmy?

If not, what gives?

[smails]

we're gonna find out. if ty gets the coo job we'll know.

[OWGR Fan]

Next the PGA Tour should get rid of the VP of Technology that constantly appears in the CDW commericals. That guy shows less life than Bernie Lomax......

[tlavin]

Rick George is a good guy and a competent executive who will be a great asset to the Rangers, an organization in need of good leaders. This strikes me as a promotion, not a lateral move.

[F. X. Flinn]

Discussion here proving that Geoff's blog is located on the boarder of "political blogs" and "gossip blogs" on the west coast in this hilarious map of the world: http://xkcd.com/802_large

[F. X. Flinn]

oops ... border ... Geoff I second the notion of an edit button

[Del the Funk]

tlavin, agreed, this move is definitely a step up, not even remotely lateral.

I think Peter Jacobsen would do an incredible job running the Tour, Flinchem has nothing on PJ. I'm sure I could think of others. It's golf, not rocket science.

[Aunt Blabbie]

Deane took me for a ride on his motorcycle one time. The vibration was crazy.

[Zenyatta]

Thanks F.X. Finn--wonderful link

[Ky Laffoon's Ghost]

Any truth to the rumor that Bill Coore is building a golf course on the Isle of Mockery? Walking only and you must have a single-digit Smartass handicap to play.

[smails]

Petr Jacobson vs. the likes of Comcast, Seth Waugh, and Wally Uhlien. dont think that would end well for the tour.