Don Rea has been removed as president of the PGA of America after a Friday statement said the decision followed a series of issues over time that were found to be detrimental to the Association. Nathan Charnes will serve as acting president until November, whe
By Friday afternoon, Don Rea was no longer the face of the PGA of America.
The governing body said in a statement late Friday that it has replaced its president, explaining the move came “followed a series of issues over time that, taken together, were determined to be detrimental to the Association.”
Nathan Charnes, previously vice president, will be moved into the role of acting president until November, when Rea’s two-year term was due to end.
Rea’s ouster is tied closely to the heat he took after last September’s Ryder Cup. an event run by the PGA of America at Bethpage Black on Long Island. The backlash touched multiple moments during the week—what he said to the media. what happened after play. and even how he spoke during a trophy ceremony.
At the Ryder Cup, spectators became unruly toward the European team on the Sunday. Rea, when asked about it, began his answer in a way that later drew criticism. “Well. you got 50. 000 people here that are really excited. and. heck. you can go to a youth soccer game and get some people who say the wrong things. We tell the fans booing at somebody doesn’t make them play worse. Typically it makes them play better. And when our American players have to control the crowds, that distracts from playing.”.
He was then asked specifically about fan comments directed toward Rory McIlroy, who was playing for Europe. Rea said, “I haven’t heard some of that,” adding, “I’m sure it’s happened. You know, it happens when we’re over in Rome on the other side. And Rory understands. I thought he handled the press conference yesterday amazingly. But yeah, things like that are going to happen. I don’t know what was said. But all I know is golf is the engine of good.”.
One day later, Rea sent a letter to PGA of America members condemning the fan behavior and apologizing. In that letter. Rea wrote: “While it wasn’t my intention. ” he continued. “some of my comments were seen in a negative light which reflects poorly on not only myself but also on the PGA of America and for that I truly apologize.”.
McIlroy also said in November that Rea had reached out to apologize.
The controversies didn’t stop with the Sunday comments. Rea also faced scrutiny after a karaoke performance on the Saturday night of the Ryder Cup. Following the unruly play that afternoon. Rea was recorded singing “Lose Yourself” by Eminem. and video of that performance was found and circulated by The Fried Egg golf website.
Then came a Sunday remark during the trophy ceremony. After Europe won the Ryder Cup 15-13, Rea said the Europeans retained the cup, rather than winning it outright.
The fallout had a longer shadow than just Ryder Cup week. In February, Golfweek’s Adam Schupak reported that Rea had been reassigned to handle “member-first priorities.” At last week’s PGA Championship, another PGA of America event, Rea was not publicly seen.
On the day before that tournament, PGA of America CEO Terry Clark was asked about PGA of America governance and why Rea wasn’t at the media session. Clark said Rea had been focused on “how we think about our membership.”
A club’s credibility is built on its own control of moments—what happens under its roof. and how its leaders respond when something goes wrong. In Rea’s case. the sequence reads as a chain of public friction: comments made during Sunday unrest. a later written apology. a widely circulated Saturday-night performance. and a trophy-ceremony line that landed during a final score of 15-13.
When the PGA of America announced the change late Friday, it framed the decision in broader terms than any single incident, saying the replacement came after issues over time were judged to be detrimental to the Association.
For now, Charnes moves into the top role as acting president until November, while Rea’s two-year term—set to have ended then—will instead end with this decision.
Don Rea PGA of America Nathan Charnes acting president Ryder Cup Bethpage Black controversy Terry Clark Rory McIlroy
So they just kicked him out because fans were yelling? Sounds weak.
I guess I’m confused, like Ryder Cup drama is never about golf anymore. If he said something weird then ok, but “issues over time” is so vague. Acting president till November… sounds like paperwork more than consequences.
“50,000 people” quote?? That part is gonna haunt him for sure. But also I don’t get why they couldn’t just address the crowd control stuff instead of booting the whole president. Like the fans booing at Rory isn’t his job… right? Unless they think it is.
This is why I don’t trust sports orgs. One sentence on TV and suddenly it’s the end of the guy, meanwhile everybody else gets to slide. They say detrimental to the Association like it’s some boardroom spreadsheet. Also Bethpage is on Long Island so of course there’s gonna be chaos, people are loud and drunk. Just saying.