Walking the Course

Davis’ Career Leads To Historic Pro Golf Post

Mike Davis has always loved the game of golf. Now that he’s the executive director of the United States Golf Association (USGA), only one thing has changed.

“I play less golf now than I’ve ever played in my entire life,” laughed Davis (`87), who became USGA executive director on March 2, 2011, after serving as senior director of Rules and Competitions.

Davis last played golf competitively when he was a Georgia Southern Eagle, and in 1990 he joined the USGA on the administration side of the sport as assistant manager of Championship Relations. Setting up the course for the U.S. Open, a job he started in 1997 when he became U.S. Open Championship Director, remains one of his great passions.

“I love it,” said Davis. “I would probably pay the USGA to allow me to keep doing it if I had to. I’m not only personally interested in it, but we’ve made some really good strides in terms of how the course is set up, how it’s presented and how much excitement it provides. Hopefully I’m not too busy and I can continue to do that.”

The role of USGA executive director isn’t one to be taken lightly. The position was established 117 years ago, and Davis is only the seventh person to hold the title.

“I’m not sure how to read that,” he said. “It’s kind of daunting if you think about it.”

Davis succeeded David Fay who held the position for 21 years, and follows legends like Joseph Dey, the executive director from 1934-68.

“When (Dey) retired, he was so respected worldwide that he actually became the very first commissioner of the PGA Tour,” Davis said. “Back in those days the Tour was just a separate arm of the PGA of America before it broke away. There’s been a lot of great people before me. I’m humbled by the assignment, and I shudder to think that I’m even in the same category as the six guys before me, and I’m working hard not to disappoint.”

Working hard might be an understatement. Davis is the senior-most staff member of the USGA and is responsible for managing all aspects of the Association’s day-to-day operations. He oversees all of its core functions – which govern the rules, handicapping and equipment standards for the game – essential programs, and human and financial resources of the Association.

In total, the USGA conducts 15 championships including the U.S. Open, the U.S. Women’s Open and the U.S. Senior Open, along with numerous amateur championships and international matches.

On top of it all, Davis still finds the time to officiate at The Masters, The British Open and The President’s Cup.

With so much to juggle, it’s nice to know that golf is one sport that sees the players actually step in and officiate themselves – just another aspect of the game Davis loves.

“It’s a self-regulating sport,” he said. “Can you imagine some guy in the NFL saying after a play, ‘Wait, everybody hang on. I just held that guy, so give me a 10-yard penalty.’ It happens all the time in golf, and the rare time somebody doesn’t do that, they’re almost looked at as someone who doesn’t belong in the game. You don’t meet bad people. Everybody’s nice in the game. There’s a great deal of honesty and integrity, even on the elite level.”

The love of the game started early for Davis, who grew up in Chambersburg, Pa., and picked up golf at 8 years old. His parents had a golf-club membership, and his father taught him the game – although it wasn’t easy.

“When I started, they didn’t have junior clubs, so your parents took some old clubs, cut the shaft off and put a grip on it,” Davis said. “You’d take your sawed-off clubs, and that’s how you learned to play back then.”

Davis went on to win the Pennsylvania State Junior Championship in 1982. That put him on the radar of the USGA.

At the time, Davis was familiar with a star Georgia Southern Eagle, Jodie Mudd, who turned pro in 1982 after a stellar year as an amateur. That put Georgia Southern on Davis’ radar.

“Jodie Mudd was one of the best amateurs in the country,” said Davis. “He played on the Walker Cup team in 1981 and I’d seen him play a bunch of times. When he was at Georgia Southern, it was one of the top five programs in the country. I knew I wanted to come down South so I could play golf year-round, and I’m just delighted I picked Georgia Southern.”

—Matt Yogus