Fifer Grant Moir has been promoted to one of the senior roles in world golf as he becomes the R&A’s Executive Director of Governance at the New Year.
Moir, presently Director of Rules, will assume the lead in all the organisation’s governance responsibilities.
These include the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status and handicapping. He succeeds David Rickman, who has held the executive director role since 1996. Moir will also liaise closely with The R&A’s equipment standards team, led by Professor Steve Otto.
Rickman to remain chief referee
Last year we brought you The 12 Rules of Christmas with Grant Moir 🎄
Watch all the episodes here 👉 https://t.co/AyPrbHZO57 pic.twitter.com/hX57jahCFA
— The R&A (@RandA) December 24, 2021
Rickman, one of the longest serving and most recognisable of R&A staff over the past few decades, is to continue as Chief of Staff, a position he took up in 2016. He will also remain as Chief Referee for The Open and AIG Women’s Open.
He will also assume additional responsibility for leading the development of The R&A’s new staff building at St Andrews West. The new transformational project is scheduled for opening in 2025.
Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “Grant is a strong addition to our executive leadership team.
“He has developed a deep understanding and specialist knowledge of our governance responsibilities, especially the Rules of Golf. Grant has acquired extensive experience within the sport since joining The R&A.
“I would also like to recognise David’s enormous contribution to leading our governance responsibilities for many years.
“During that time the various Rules of the sport have been successfully modernised and he established a global reputation as an expert in his field.
“Our major championships will continue to benefit from his skills and expertise as Chief Referee, while he will also join the board of R&A Rules Ltd which oversees our governance activity.
“The development of our new staff building is a significant undertaking and will be in very good hands under David’s leadership.”
Joined the R&A in 1994
Have you ever wondered how a major championship course is set up?
Read an interview with The R&A's Rules Director Grant Moir for incredible insight into the process for this week at Royal Troon.https://t.co/Z8RQj3IpAc#WorldClass #AIGWO pic.twitter.com/h3dUI2qO1o
— AIG Women’s Open (@AIGWomensOpen) August 18, 2020
Moir has a strong background in golf and sport in Fife. His father David is a former Scottish Golf Union president and a leading figure in golf administration in the Kingdom for many years.
“I am proud to be taking on this role at The R&A,” he said. “I look forward to continuing the organisation’s vital work across all of our governance responsibilities, as we seek to ensure that the sport prospers for the enjoyment of golfers at every level of the game both now and well into the future.
“I’ve enjoyed working with David over many years and am grateful for his support and guidance.”
Moir joined The R&A in 1994 and has worked extensively with the Rules of Golf and Amateur Status Committees over many years. Since 1996, he has been an integral part of the collaborative work with the USGA, helping to ensure that the Rules are the same worldwide.
He has also played an important role ‘inside the ropes’. Initially a referee, he has planned course set-up for The Open since 2009 and the AIG Women’s Open since 2017, which he will continue to have responsibility for.
He has refereed at other major championships across the world and was closely involved in the Rules operation when golf returned to the Olympic Games in 2016 at Rio de Janeiro.
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