Golf Inc. Magazine has published its annual list of the Most Powerful People in Golf and the results might just surprise you.
When you think of the movers and shakers who affect the world of golf we bet you don't normally envision a former tennis pro or the boss of the American Apprentice but both Eric Wilborts and Donald Trump are firmly implanted on this year's list.
Another name you might not know is the person who holds 2014's top spot- President and CEO of ClubCorp, Eric Affeldt. The American's broking of a $265 million USD acquisition of Sequoia Golf and its 54 golf courses helped to catapult Affeldt up from number 5 on last year's list.
Also making their mark are some more recognisable names including Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, numbers 29 and 19 respectively, as well as Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.
The article alludes in its opening that this year's list gives evidence to the shift happening behind the scenes. With past strongholds including golf associations and governing bodies losing footing to new power players like the Head of Sponsorship at HSBC, Giles Morgan.
"After years of dominance as power brokers, the associations and governing bodies are struggling with waning memberships and revenue, political infighting and retirements," states the article. Before adding, "It doesn't help that they represent the status quo in an industry that desperately wants change."
One interesting note, out of the thirty names and further ten profiled for the Asian market, all are male. Could this perhaps change in the coming year too?
