The National Golf Foundation named long-time employee Greg Nathan as its new president and chief operating officer, a move that took effect in June. Nathan, who has worked at NGF since 2007, will take on additional duties that Joe Beditz previously handled. Beditz, who has served as president and chief executive officer since 1989, will continue to fill the role of CEO.
“It was unanimously decided at our recent board meeting that Greg was ready to assume more responsibility for the operations of the National Golf Foundation, allowing Joe to focus more on strategic initiatives for the organization,” said PING President and CEO John K. Solheim, the chairman of the NGF Board.
Beditz echoed that sentiment, saying, “He’s invested the energy to develop a deep understanding of virtually every part of the golf economy and earned a reputation as a valued advisor to both leading companies and start-ups.”
It has long been expected that Nathan would assume greater responsibilities from Beditz, who is 71. Beditz has been a leading voice in the industry since he first joined NGF in 1984 as the research director, and has groomed Nathan to take over the nonprofit think tank. Some industry observers, however, have expressed concern with Nathan, who is not as well liked as Beditz.
In its 2021 tax filing, NGF reported $4.2 million in gross receipts, up from $2.65 in 2020. Beditz earned $458,094 in salary and Nathan earned $228,647.
By comparison, The National Golf Course Owners Association reported $2,89 million in gross receipts and paid its CEO, Jay Karen, $285,000 in compensation.
Nathan began his tenure at NGF in 2007 as vice president after spending seven years at GOLF Magazine. Before his new appointment, he was NGF’s chief business officer, most recently heading up the creation of the company’s digital marketing agency.
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