Joie Chitwood named executive director of 2026 event

Joie Chitwood is adding another golf stop to a sports management resume that started with racing.

The PGA Tour announced this week that Chitwood, who was the president and COO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and instrumental in the construction of the Chicagoland Speedway, was named executive director of the 2026 Presidents Cup, which will be at the Medinah Country Club outside Chicago.

Chitwood previously was the vice president of corporate development for Arnold Palmer Enterprises. Among his duties in Orlando was tournament director of the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Arnold Palmer Cup, a college team competition featuring the top U.S. and International players.

“I am thrilled to be named executive director of the 2026 Presidents Cup and look forward to returning to Chicago to guide what has become a staple of top global events in sports,” said Chitwood in a statement. “This city has a tremendous passion for golf as evidenced by the number of championships hosted through the years, and Medinah Country Club has played an incredible role in that history. We are going to engage the vibrant Chicagoland business community and its great sports fans to deliver an unforgettable week at the Presidents Cup.”

Chitwood started his career with the Indy Racing League in Indianapolis. He was later part of the executive leadership of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and NASCAR for a joint venture to construct and operate the Chicagoland Speedway, a $135 million, 75,000-seat, racetrack facility on 900 acres in nearby Joliet, Ill.

As vice president and general manager, Chitwood oversaw marketing, PR, sponsorships, ticketing, hospitality, operations, and legislative affairs for both the Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway, delivering a sold-out inaugural season.

Chitwood later returned to run the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where he oversaw all business functions for the world’s largest sporting venue and increased performance and revenue through reorganization and partnership development.

From 2009-19 he worked at the International Speedway Corporation in Daytona Beach, where he eventually became the executive vice president and COO. He was tasked with improving the nationwide performance of 13 motor racing facilities – including the Daytona International Speedway.

“Joie has a fantastic track record of growing sales and partnerships across some of the biggest arenas in sports, and we are excited to welcome him to the Presidents Cup…