Antony Scanlon, Executive Director of the International Golf Federation (IGF), enjoyed a whistle-stop visit to The European Tour headquarters at Wentworth this week, where he met The European Tour Executive and Staff.
Scanlon, who was appointed in November last year to facilitate golf’s return to the Olympic movement at the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016, met Tour Chief Executive, George O’Grady; his predecessor Ken Schofield; Chairman Neil Coles and other Board Directors including Sir Michael Bonallack as well as key European Tour Executives for a series of wide-ranging discussions.
Among the topics for discussion was the key role played in golf’s development by the national association and federations, who were prominent in the growth of The European Tour and will be significant contributors in golf’s integration as an Olympic sport after a 112-year absence.
Scanlon talked to Andy Stubbs, Managing Director of the European Senior Tour, just a few days after Senior Open Champion Bernhard Langer had won his first event of 2011 on the US Champions Tour while Challenge Tour Director Alain de Soultrait was able to recall new World Number One, Martin Kaymer’s victory on his first Challenge Tour start in 2006.
Scanlon, O’Grady and the Tour Staff also took the opportunity to raise a glass of Moët & Chandon to toast the momentous achievement of European Tour Members Kaymer, Lee Westwood, Luke Donald and Graeme McDowell who, respectively, this week occupy the top four places on the Official World Golf Ranking.
O’Grady said: “We are delighted to welcome Antony to Wentworth on such a significant day for the Tour’s leading Members at the head of the World Ranking.
"He brings a wealth of experience in the Olympic movement to the game of golf and it has been a pleasure for our Board, Executives and Staff to have this opportunity, formally and informally, to discuss a whole range of topics relevant to both our organisations as golf moves towards its return as an Olympic sport.”
