PLAYERS VP, CEO Hughes to retire after 25 years

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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- The PGA TOUR announced Monday that Henry Hughes, Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of THE PLAYERS Championship, will retire July 1, 2010, after 25 years.

Highlights of Hughes' distinguished career have included becoming the first TOUR employee to oversee THE PLAYERS as Executive Director (1988-1996) and serving as the first Chief of Operations of the PGA TOUR (1998-2008).

"Henry has had a remarkable career with the PGA TOUR, including having a major role in elevating THE PLAYERS to the stature it enjoys today and helping establish The Presidents Cup in essentially six months," PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem said in announcing Hughes' planned retirement. "As the TOUR's first Chief of Operations, Henry laid a lot of the groundwork for things that are standard procedure today, including the creation of our Tournament Business Affairs department, forging improved tournament relations, upgrading the Qualifying Tournament, enhancing security and on-site operations staffing."

Hughes' involvement with professional golf began in 1975 when he was named chairman of the Sammy Davis Jr.-Greater Hartford Open in Connecticut, now the Travelers Championship. He joined the TOUR in 1984 as director of marketing for TPC Connecticut, and two years later relocated to PGA TOUR headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach to become Director of Marketing.

Former Commissioner Deane Beman selected Hughes to become Executive Director of THE PLAYERS in July of 1987, effectively bringing oversight of the championship in house. Hughes' responsibilities eventually broadened to include oversight of the TOUR's newly created Championship Management division, which grew to operate 13 events, including The Presidents Cup and the World Golf Championships, introducing the logistical challenge of managing tournaments overseas.

"I've always enjoyed the challenge of doing something new and becoming involved in startup situations," said Hughes, 62. "In doing so, I've always felt it was my responsibility to look out for the game, the players and the tournaments of the PGA TOUR, the commissioner and the staff."

Beyond his functions as an executive, Hughes said he is extremely proud of the lasting friendships he has developed.

"I am most proud of the relationships I have developed throughout the game of golf and my contributions to the growth of the TOUR as we know it today," he said. "I look forward to continuing my work at the TOUR through next June, and then taking the next step of my life with my family. As we split our time between our homes in Connecticut and Ponte Vedra Beach, I will focus on curing that slice."