Antony Scanlon To Head IGF; Golf's VP Aristocracy Asks, "Who?"

A real stunner as the International Golf Foundation hires someone outside of the recirculating army of golf executives that looks a little too much like the group of NBA head coaching types who miraculously keep getting jobs (which reminds me, isn't it about time for Hubie Brown and Mike Fratello to get coaching jobs?).

Antony Scanlon is from Australia, so there's some hope he'll know good architecture when he sees it. And based on the description of his experience, it appears that guiding the Rio organizing committee through the venue selection process is his number one task.

IGF ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF ANTONY B SCANLON AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

August 2, 2010: The International Golf Federation (IGF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Antony B Scanlon as its Executive Director.  Scanlon, an Australian based in Lausanne, Switzerland will take up his duties on 1 November 2010.

Scanlon joins the IGF from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) where he has worked since 2004 as Head of Olympic Games Coordination, Operations and Services.  He has rich experience in delivering Olympic infrastructure and has worked on Olympic Games since 1998, including roles with the organising committees for the Sydney (2000), Salt Lake City (2002) and Athens (2004) Games before joining the IOC full time.

In his current role, Scanlon holds key liaison responsibilities with organising committees for both the summer and winter Games, including the Rio Organising Committee for 2016.  He has a close understanding of the requirements for developing and managing Olympic venues and, throughout the period of his tenure, he has forged strong working relationships across the entire Olympic family.  

“Antony Scanlon has a wealth of Olympic experience; his skills and contacts will provide the IGF with a strong foundation upon which to build golf as an Olympic sport”, said Peter Dawson, Joint Secretary of the International Golf Federation, “We are truly fortunate to have found an executive of Antony’s calibre.”

Passionate about sport, having played rugby league and semi-professional cricket in Australia, he is an avid golfer, having been introduced to the game at the age of six by his uncle who is a professional golfer in Australia.  He currently plays to a handicap of 12.

Mr. Scanlon, I have Jack Nicklaus AND Annika Sorenstam on line one, would you like send it to your voice mail?