Martin Slumbers has stepped down as chief executive of The R&A today (13 December) after almost a decade on the governing body.
During his tenure, which began in 2015, Slumbers played a leading role in driving a number of significant changes, not only within the internal workings of The R&A and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club, but also more broadly. It had a positive impact on many areas of gaming. including hosting the British Open Championship and the Women’s Open, as well as a number of initiatives being undertaken to support the growth of the game at amateur level around the world.
Following the decision to step down as chief executive, which was first announced in January, Slumbers said: “It has been an honor to contribute to golf at the highest level. This is a role I am proud to play on behalf of the employees of The R&A, the members of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club and all our global partners. There comes a time in any career when you give your turn to the next generation and I am grateful for the privilege of being stewards of all that the R&A and the game of golf more broadly represent.”
Key successes during his tenure included the rapid growth of both the British Open Championship and the Women’s Open on the commercial side, with prize money for both tournaments increasing significantly during his tenure due to an influx of new sponsors. increased to.
The British Open has also grown significantly during the Slumbers’ reign and now regularly attracts more than 250,000 spectators a week. His decision to turn it into an advance event with no option to buy tickets on the day drew criticism at the time, but has since become the accepted standard for virtually all major global sporting events in the modern era.
The decision to return the championship to Royal Portrush, which hosted the British Open in 2019, for the first time in nearly 70 years and host it for a third time in 2025 was widely welcomed, but it will not return to Turnberry after the tournament. The decision was widely welcomed. The Trump Organization’s acquisition of a Scottish resort has been a source of controversy.
“I think we’ve moved the Open (British Open) a long way,” Slumbers said. “We’ve focused on being one of the great sporting events in the world. Its size has grown. Its brand strength has grown. I think its reputation has grown.・I’m very proud of the opening.”
Slumbers is also proud of the development of the AIG Women’s Open, formerly known as the Women’s British Open, which now has a total prize pool of nearly $10 million. She claims that while it used to be “just running on the edge”, it is now “one of the best championships for women in the world”.
Increasing the influence of women in a sport that has always been male-dominated is one of the Slumbers’ greatest success stories. The merger of the R&A and the Ladies Golf Union took place early in his reign.
While the women’s professional game is in much better shape than it has ever been, Slumbers said the men’s professional game is in a state of great flux as the schism caused by the arrival of LIV Golf continues in 2021. leaves his role at the R&A. Wedge during the main tour.
Weeks before his departure, Slumbers told Golf Channel in the US that the hierarchy in men’s golf that currently exists needs to be “quickly resolved” for the greater good of men’s golf.
He said: “The professional game needs to sort itself out and support what is a huge momentum boost for our sport as a whole. Our polarized position in the professional game is extremely detrimental to golf. . It’s negatively impacting our reputation as a sport.
“We were hoping that things would be at peace by now because we need to get some stability. We can’t continue playing the game like this, so we need to get some stability so the game becomes economically sustainable. In order to have a long-term future, we need to stop talking so much about money and get back to the values of the sport, and I think the public will start watching this movie again. .”
Mr Slumbers has moved away from his role in the healthy amateur game and club membership and people experiencing the game in all its forms has enjoyed a significant increase. This is partly driven by the popularity of golf during and after the pandemic, but also by a more welcoming and inclusive attitude adopted.From golf clubs to driving ranges to indoor golf courses, golf We will introduce each facility.
Slumbers also plans to limit the distance of the ball for elite players to be introduced in 2028, and plans to reduce the impact of modern equipment technology on the challenges posed by golf’s historic championship venues. standing on the front lines. He also mentioned sustainability. , both the golf course and the economic aspects of the sport were themes of his tenure.
Mr Slumbers, who was awarded an OBE for his services to golf on the King’s Birthday Honors List in June, said: “Golf is a big part of my life and has served me very well over the years. R&A in 2015. When I took this role, I wanted to give something back to the game I love. I discovered a true passion for our sport and a desire to increase its popularity and appeal. It was a truly wonderful experience and one I will treasure for the rest of my life.”
Niall Farquharson, Chairman of the R&A, said: “At Martin, we are fortunate to have a CEO who will lead the organization through a period of growth, increasing the profile and reputation of our sport and making it more accessible, engaging and inclusive. did” .
“Through his stature and wider influence in golf and the sport, and through growing the Open’s revenue and reinvesting it in the game, he is true to the R&A’s purpose of seeing golf thrive 50 years from now. He has shown transformational leadership. He talks a lot about reflecting on history in a modern way and that will be his legacy to R&A and the club.”
Slumbers will be succeeded by Mark Darbon, 45, former chief executive of Northampton Saints Rugby Club, at the R&A. He has an extensive career in sports event management, including serving on the organizing committee for the 2012 London Olympics.
