World Golf Foundation announces appointment of Combs

text size

St. Augustine, Fla. -- The World Golf Foundation today announced the appointment of Robert J. Combs to the position of Senior Vice President, Communications, Research & Public Affairs. Combs had previously served as the PGA TOUR's Senior Vice President, Communications since joining the TOUR in 1997.

In the new role, Combs will provide leadership to the Foundation's communications initiatives for the global golf community and its mission to provide, when possible, a unified voice on issues affecting the game. He will also support the Foundation's efforts to provide a centralized platform for the dissemination of information about the growth and diversification of the game; the economic impact of golf; drug testing; and relevant public affairs initiatives. He will report to World Golf Foundation's CEO, Steve Mona.

In addition to his responsibilities in the area of communications, Combs will work closely with Steve Mona and Ruffin Beckwith, Executive Director of GOLF 20/20, in the development of the 2008 GOLF 20/20 conference, scheduled for November 9-11 at World Golf Village, St. Augustine, FL.

Created in 2000, GOLF 20/20 is a unique industry-wide collaboration. It is designed to galvanize the industry around strategic initiatives and grassroots activities that ensure the future vitality of golf. Beckwith, who has headed up GOLF 20/20 since its inception and who previously announced his retirement from the PGA TOUR, effective March 31, has agreed to remain involved with GOLF 20/20 and select other TOUR and Foundation initiatives.

"We're delighted with this new opportunity for Bob," said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. "The World Golf Foundation is taking a number of important steps forward, most recently with the hiring of Steve Mona as its first-ever CEO. Now, with Bob moving from the PGA TOUR to a related assignment at the Foundation, that organization is even more prepared to meet the challenges of growing interest and participation in the game on a global basis.

"Bob has been an integral and effective part of the PGA TOUR team for over a decade, and we thank him for his many contributions and look forward to a continued close working relationship with him at the Foundation," Finchem said.

Steve Mona, CEO of World Golf Foundation, said, "We're extremely pleased to have the opportunity to add a communications executive with Bob's experience to our staff. Bob joins a very strong team that includes Helen Atter, Joe Barrow, Jr., Jack Peter, Diane Tetsworth and their excellent staffs. The Foundation has exciting opportunities in front of it, and having Bob join our team will be very beneficial as we work on behalf of the game of golf through a wide variety of initiatives.

"At the same time, I join Ruffin's colleagues throughout the industry in thanking him for his years of outstanding leadership to GOLF 20/20, and I'm delighted that he will continue to provide support and counsel to our efforts," Mona said.

Prior to joining the PGA TOUR in 1997, Combs served as Vice President, Communications for Deere & Company in Moline, Illinois. He is a graduate of Indiana University.