”To become Chairman of Augusta National and the Masters is beyond humbling,” said Fred Ridley, a 65-year-old business lawyer succeeds Atlanta 1996 Olympic boss Billy Payne, who announced his retirement in August after a tenure that began in 2006.
Payne put in effect sweeping changes, including opening Augusta National’s doors to female members.
“I stand ready to embrace the responsibilities that come with this important position, strengthened by the lessons the sport teaches and the example of those who have provided leadership to me over the years,” Ridley added He works for the prominent law firm of Foley & Lardner, where he operates out of the Tampa office and is the national chair of the firm’s real-estate practice.
He became a member of the Augusta National Golf Club in 2000 was serving as chairman of the Tournament’s Competition Committees since 2007.
This story first appeared in the blog, The Sport Intern. The editor is Karl-Heinz Huba of Lorsch, Germany. He can be reached at ISMG@aol.com. The article is reprinted here with permission of Huba.