Golf News (posted 11th November 1998)

R & A seeks successor to Michael Bonallack

St Andrews, Scotland - The most important job in the world of golf is advertised this week with the Royal and Ancient Club seeking a successor to Sir Michael Bonallack who retires in July 2000, just seven months after his 65th birthday.

The advertisement invites applications from "suitably accomplished persons."

Ian Webb, chairman of the R & A's general committee, said "As planned, we are starting to search for Sir Michael's successor early to ensure we have sufficient time to find the right person for this most important and senior position in golf. As the R & A has a full calendar of events, a longer than normal handover period will be required.   Interviews will be held in the first quarter of 1999."

Before taking up his post with the R & A in 1983, Bonallack was chairman of the Professional Golfers' Assocation and Golf Foundation and president of the English Golf Union. He was also one of the most outstanding British amateurs having won the Amateur Championship five times between 1951 and 1970. He also won the English Amateur Championship five times and captured the English strokeplay title on four occasions.

He also appeared in nine Walker Cups, two as playing captain and was twice the leading amateur in the Open Championship.

He was knighted in  the Queen's birthday honours list in June this year.

The Royal & Ancient is golf's ruling body outside the United States and also runs the Open Championship, the Amateur Championship and several other tournaments.