Don Rea Jr has departed from his position as President of the PGA of America, a move that follows significant criticism regarding his comments on crowd conduct during last year's Ryder Cup. The controversy stemmed from his response to verbal abuse directed at European players, which drew widespread condemnation.
The focal point of the criticism was Rea's initial assessment of the crowd behaviour, where he reportedly likened the level of abuse to that found at a 'youth soccer game'. This statement was widely perceived as downplaying the severity of the incidents and the impact on the players involved, leading to a backlash from various quarters within the golfing world and beyond.
The Ryder Cup, a biennial golf competition between teams from Europe and the United States, is known for its passionate atmosphere. However, reports indicated that some sections of the New York crowd crossed a line with their conduct towards the European team, leading to calls for stronger condemnation from officials.
While the PGA of America has not officially detailed the specific reasons for Rea's departure, the timing strongly suggests a connection to the ongoing fallout from the Ryder Cup incident and the subsequent criticism of his handling of the matter. The organisation will now likely focus on leadership transition and addressing the concerns raised about spectator behaviour at future events.