Rick George new president of Champions Tour

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- The PGA TOUR announced Friday that Rick George, president and CEO of Fore!Kids Foundation, the host organization of the PGA TOUR's HP Classic of New Orleans , has been named to the newly created position of president of the Champions Tour (formerly the Senior PGA Tour).

In the new position, George will be responsible for all aspects of the Champions Tour, including marketing, tournament operations, player relations and title sponsor relations. He will assume his new role following the conclusion of the HP Classic of New Orleans in May.

"Over the past four years, Jeff Monday has effectively managed the restructuring of the Champions Tour, as we prepared for the future with new television relationships, a stronger schedule and title sponsor relationships and a much-improved on-site experience for fans and sponsors," said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. "Now, we will be able to take advantage of Jeff's experience in a wide variety of the TOUR's operations. Following a transition period with Rick George, Jeff will assume a significant new role within the TOUR's senior management team."

According to Champions Tour member Larry Nelson, "I worked closely with Jeff during my years on the Champions Tour Division Board, as we examined how to improve all aspects of this Tour. I always enjoyed working with Jeff, and I appreciate his dedication and commitment to improving the Tour. He played a key role in getting The Champions Tour positioned for a bright future."

"Rick George is ideally qualified to help the Champions Tour take full advantage of its outstanding potential," Finchem said. "In his current role at the Fore!Kids Foundation's HP Classic of New Orleans, he has demonstrated strong leadership in the areas of community and sponsor involvement, as well providing compelling on-site enhancements for players and fans. His experience and vision will be very important ingredients as we continue our drive to make the Champions Tour the most accessible and fan friendly experience in all of sport."

"I couldn't be more excited about this tremendous new opportunity," George said. "It has been a great privilege to work with a dynamic team in New Orleans, and it's clear that I'll be joining another great team on the Champions Tour. With the changes that have been made to enhance the presentation of the Tour, combined with the steady stream of great players that will enter the Champions Tour over the next several years, we have a great opportunity to take this Tour to an entirely new level, and I look forward to providing leadership to that effort."

According to Mike Rodrigue, Chairman of the Board of the Fore!Kids Foundation, "All of us associated with the Fore!Kids Foundation and the HP Classic of New Orleans are delighted at this great new opportunity for Rick and his family. Under Rick's leadership, the tournament was able to increase its charitable giving from $400,000 to over $1 million for four consecutive years, while also raising the event's purse from $1.8 million to $5.0 million. While we are sorry to see Rick and his family leave our organization and New Orleans, we're delighted that Rick will be able to apply his tremendous experience and energy on behalf of the Champions Tour. We wish Rick every success in this exciting new endeavor."

According to Hal Sutton, a player director on the PGA TOUR's Policy Board, "Speaking as a player, it's been exciting to see how Rick's leadership at the HP Classic of New Orleans has resulted in a much stronger tournament. From both the perspective of the player and the fan, Rick and his team have created one of the most exciting, enjoyable tournament experiences on TOUR. I'm sure he'll bring that same positive energy and momentum to the Champions Tour."

Prior to joining the Fore!Kids Foundation in 1998, George served for seven years at the associate athletic director for external operations at Vanderbilt University, with wide-ranging responsibilities across all aspects of the Athletic Department. His prior experience also includes several years of leadership experience in the athletic departments at the University of Colorado and the University of Illinois. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois.