Martin Slumbers brought a business background to his role as CEO of the R&A. He made it his business to make the British Open big with commercialization and large galleries. Slumbers also expanded the R&A's championships by acquiring the Ladies Golf Union. That put the R&A in charge of the Women's British Open.
FILE - Martin Slumbers, the Chief Executive of The R&A and Secretary of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club St Andrews, with the Claret Jug trophy, and Australia’s Cameron Smith, winner of the 2022 British Open, shake hands at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, England, on July 17, 2023.
That delivered what Slumbers wanted when he arrived at the R&A after a career in banking, the first R&A chief with a background in business. He brought more commercialization to golf’s oldest championship, an emphasis on building the brand and investing in the game.“Yes, there are some people who would like to have ticket prices three times the size and half the number of people so they can stand right by the 18th green,” Slumbers said. “But the vast majority of people really like it.
Slumbers was under consideration as CEO when the R&A was deciding to have female members and said he wouldn’t have taken the job if members had not voted for that. Slumbers leaves with the game still split, chagrined that the world’s best only come together four times a year at the majors.
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