The Women Skilled Golf Affiliation (LPGA) introduced at present that its Board of Administrators has elected Craig Kessler because the group’s tenth Commissioner.
The appointment comes through the LPGA’s landmark seventy fifth anniversary season, marking a pivotal second of world development and alternative for one of the enduring and revered leaders in ladies’s skilled sports activities worldwide.
Kessler was chosen following a rigorous and complete world search, led by the LPGA Board’s Search Committee and formed by enter from LPGA Tour athletes, companions, employees and key stakeholders.
“We got down to discover a transformational chief with a deep appreciation for the LPGA’s legacy and a transparent imaginative and prescient of what’s potential for our future,” mentioned John B. Veihmeyer, Chair of the LPGA Board of Administrators. “Craig is an inspiring and interesting chief, who brings a novel mixture of govt management expertise, deep relationships within the golf trade, and a real dedication to elevating ladies and ladies via golf. The LPGA has by no means been extra dynamic – and Craig is precisely the appropriate chief to drive its subsequent period of development and impression.”
Kessler brings a broad and spectacular vary of experiences throughout sports activities, enterprise, personal fairness and entrepreneurship. Most not too long ago, he served as Chief Working Officer of the PGA of America, the place he oversaw all operations of the 30,000-member group, together with its non-profit basis. He beforehand served as Chief Govt Officer of Buff Metropolis Cleaning soap, a fast-growing experiential retail firm that expanded from 100 to 260 shops beneath his management. Earlier in his profession, Kessler additionally served as Chief Working Officer at Topgolf, the place he helped scale the corporate’s groundbreaking mix of sports activities, leisure and expertise.
In addition to his govt roles, Kessler brings board-level expertise with the Nationwide Golf Basis, UT Southwestern hospital system, and the Dallas Mavericks Advisory Board. He started his profession at McKinsey & Firm and went on to management positions at Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) and Windfall Fairness Companions. His observe report contains evaluating investments and dealing alongside administration groups to enhance firm efficiency – expertise he now brings to one of many world’s premier ladies’s sports activities organizations.
“The LPGA stands on the intersection of world-class competitors and world impression,” mentioned Kessler, incoming LPGA Commissioner. “From younger ladies who’re choosing up a membership for the primary time, to the LPGA Professionals serving to educate this nice recreation to folks round the world, to the unbelievable athletes competing on Tour—the LPGA is driving the way forward for golf. I’m honored to affix this highly effective motion and keen to assist construct what comes subsequent—collectively.”
“This isn’t nearly main a sports activities group – it’s about redefining what’s potential,” Kessler added. “This function is deeply private to me – not simply as an expert alternative, however as an opportunity to make a distinction on this planet and create new alternatives for others. Golf adjustments lives. I imagine within the LPGA’s mission, its members and its momentum. I can’t wait to get began.”
Kessler will formally step into the function on July 15, succeeding Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who stepped down in January 2025. Liz Moore will proceed as Interim Commissioner till that point. Veihmeyer added, “Liz has carried out an distinctive job within the interim function, and we look ahead to the numerous vital contributions she is going to proceed to make to the LPGA sooner or later.”
