Chris Wightman, We Hardly Knew Ye

Is it too late to bring Marty back? And Golf Journal? Sorry, dreaming again...

USGA MUSEUM DIRECTOR RAND JERRIS EXPANDS RESPONSIBILITIES

Far Hills, N.J. (March 4) – The United States Golf Association announced today that as part of an organizational consolidation, USGA Museum Director Rand Jerris’ responsibilities have been expanded to include leadership of its Communications Department, reporting to USGA Chief Business Officer Peter Bevacqua.

“This is a natural extension of Rand’s abilities and leadership skills,” said Bevacqua. “With 21 years of experience within the Association, he is intimately familiar with the core functions of the USGA. We are pleased to be able to rely on his expertise to guide our communications efforts.”

Jerris joined the USGA part-time in 1988, became the Association’s first Librarian/Historian in 1999 and was appointed Museum Director in 2002. He recently oversaw the development of the Arnold Palmer Center for Golf History, which opened in June 2008.

Jerris completed his doctorate in art and archaeology at Princeton University and received his undergraduate and master’s degrees from Williams College.

As a result of this consolidation, Managing Director of Communications Chris Wightman will be leaving the Association to pursue other interests.

Here was the glowing, and I mean glowing release with quotes praising the hire in December, 2007.

Jerris knows golf and does not speak in MBAisms, so this would seem to be an indication--in spite of what the original press release says--that David Fay is taking back the reins of the organization after the Walter Driver years left him with less influence.