Dick Rugge Only Has To Sit Through One More USGA Annual Meeting

The USGA's Senior Technical Director is retiring in February to spend less time with lawyers in blue blazers.

Mike Stachura with the details, including some quotes from Mike Davis' letter to the staff:

In a letter to staff announcing Rugge's retirement, USGA Executive Director Mike Davis praised his colleague's role during an era of perhaps the most rapid innovation in the game's history.

"His vigilance has assured that skill remains the most important factor in hitting a good shot," the letter reads.

"Dick will leave behind a Research and Test Center team that is extremely well positioned to handle its mission moving forward. His contributions to the USGA have been invaluable, and I would like to sincerely thank him for his significant role in helping us govern the game."