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."

Comments

[StephenP]

Press release should have read: "Dick will leave behind a Research and Test Center team that is extremely well positioned to NOT INTEFERE WITH MAUFACTURERS PROFITS BY MAKING NO DECISIONS".

[digsouth]

So in the spirit of politics we are all experiencing this week---

Will he become a lobbiest for the manufacturers he so obviously let run the ''technical'' portion of the USGA?

K street is full of ex politicians who now are rewarded greatly by the manufacturers and service companies that they let EVEN WRITE THE BILLS they presented.

Does such crap go on in the stalls(sic) of Far Hills?

[Morty T]

Does this mean Davis will take over these duties as well? I'm sure he thinks he is qualified.

[Ivan Morris]

Hopefully a change in personnel will mean a change in direction, focus and attitude.

[Jesse Pinkman]

I wonder if Mike Davis told Dick Rugge that he is retiring yet.

[Jmr]

Wally has already sent 12 dozen prov1's as a thank you . . .

[jstiles]

The USGA will always lag behind the manufacturers until the USGA manufactures golf balls and golf clubs for a profit.