Fred Perpall is set to serve a third and final year as USGA President as the governing body released on Monday its nominating committee’s slate of selections for the 15-member Executive Committee in 2025. In the process, the USGA also revealed the identity of Perpall’s eventual successor.
Kevin Hammer, a 52-year-old financial planner from Boynton Beach, Florida, has been nominated as President Elect. The USGA created the position in 2019 to help with the transition between committee leadership. Hammer is expected then to be nominated as USGA President starting in 2026.
For the past three years, Hammer has served on the USGA Executive Committee—the association’s policymaking and governance board—working most recently as chairman of the Championship Committee as well on the International Team Selection and Investment committees. The South Florida native comes from a golf family, his father Laurie Hammer, a former tour pro and longtime club professional. Kevin was a first-team AJGA All-American who played college golf at Florida and has qualified for multiple USGA championships. He also worked more than 10 years on the Executive Committee of the Florida State Golf Association, including as its president from 2020-21.
For more than 25 years, Hammer has worked at Merry Lynch where he currently manages investments for individuals, families, foundations and professional athletes.
“I’m thrilled that Kevin has been nominated to serve as the USGA’s 68th president,” Perpall said in a press release. “He brings a passion for and understanding of the game and the USGA that will serve the organisation and our mission extremely well.”
Joining Hammer as a nominee for a second three-year term on the Executive Committee is Sinclair Eaddy Jr. Additionally, Dianne Dixon and Jim Gorrie were nominated for their first terms. If elected, they would replace retiring members Tony Anderson and Deborah Platt Majoras.
The election of Executive Committee members will take place at the USGA Annual Meeting on March 1, 2025, in Pinehurst, N.C.
Other returning members of the USGA Executive Committee include Andrew Biggadike, David Dorton, Virginia C. Drosos, Cathy Engelbert, Leslie Henry, David Leitch, Bryan Lewis, Michael McCarthy, Courtney Myhrum and Andy North.
Main Image: USGA/Jeff Haynes
