Don Rea Jr. has been stood down from his role as president of golf’s PGA of America, following a series of missteps during the 2025 Ryder Cup teams’ competition.
On Friday, the PGA of America’s board of directors announced a leadership transition on the back of Rea's suspension for the last six months of his two-year term.
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The statement said: “I am writing to share that the PGA of America Board of Directors has implemented an Officer leadership transition following the suspension of President Don Rea for the remainder of his term, which concludes in November.
“The Board determined that a leadership transition was necessary to ensure the Association can effectively fulfill its governance responsibilities and continue advancing its strategic priorities.
“This change is limited to Board leadership and does not impact the Association’s operations, strategic priorities, or Member services.”
As part of the change, the board said PGA vice president Nathan Charnes would be promoted to acting president, “effective immediately”.
PGA secretary Eric Eshleman, meanwhile, has been promoted to vice president and will continue to serve in a dual role until November, when the association will host its officer elections.
Charnes first responsibility will be leading the current officers and board of directors in carrying out the organization’s governance responsibilities during the transition.
Rea was elected president of the PGA of America in November 2024 to replace John Lindert, but drew negative headlines last September for dismissing the abusive and expletive-laden comments thrown at the European team and golfer Rory McIlroy during the Ryder Cup tournament at Bethpage Black.
Responding to a question about the abuse by UK public service broadcaster, the BBC, Rea said: “Well, you’ve got 50,000 people here that are really excited and, heck, you could go to a youth soccer game and get some people who say the wrong thing.
“It happened when we were in Rome [in 2023] on the other side, and Rory understands … things like that are going to happen, and I don't know what was said. But all I know is golf is the engine of good.”
The ensuing public backlash over the remarks saw PGA of America chief executive Derek Sprague apologize to McIlroy and his wife, Erica, who was also subjected to abuse.
A week later, Rea then apologized in an email to PGA of America members, stating “some fan behavior clearly crossed the line" and was "disrespectful, inappropriate, and not representative of who we are as the PGA of America or as PGA of America golf professionals."
In the email, he admitted that he didn't represent the PGA of America "in the best light with some of my comments."
Rea also fell under scrutiny for an awkward trophy presentation to the European team for announcing they had retained the Ryder Cup rather than won it, as well as viral clips showing him singing karaoke on the Saturday night of the tournament while the US team was losing.
After the Ryder Cup, Rea was removed from the PGA Tour Policy Board and disappeared from public appearances on behalf of the PGA of America.
Sprague, meanwhile, was announced as the PGA of America’s chief executive in December 2024, becoming the first former president to take up the role.
Sprague served as president from 2014 to 2016 and as honorary president from 2016 to 2018. He also previously served as the PGA vice president and served a two-year term as PGA secretary.
He took over from Seth Waugh, who retired after his contract ended on June 30, 2024.
Meanwhile, the PGA Tour has announced US-based healthcare firm Hoag will sponsor the Senior Players Championship, one of the five major championships contested annually on the PGA Tour Champions, starting in 2027.
The deal will see the event renamed the Hoag Senior Players Championship at Newport Beach from next year’s edition, which is scheduled for March 22 to 28.
The deal follows the PGA Tour Champions securing a five-year deal to move the event to the Newport Beach Country Club from 2027 to 2031.
This year’s edition, which has been played as the Kaulig Companies Championship over the last four years, will be held from July 9 to 12.
PGA TOUR Champions President Miller Brady said: “We are thrilled to usher in this new era of the SENIOR PLAYERS Championship with our longtime partners Hoag and Newport Beach Country Club.
“The Hoag Classic has long been a best-in-class event on the Champions Tour, and it’s great to know we will be adding to that legacy with a senior major championship starting in 2027.”
