USGA Names Jason Gore as Senior Director of Player Relations

Following an extensive search, the USGA has appointed longtime PGA Tour player and four-time U.S. Open competitor Jason Gore as its first Senior Director of Player Relations. 

 

The appointment launches a comprehensive program aimed at sharing information and strengthening engagement with players in areas of importance to the USGA.  These include initiatives to grow and advance the game, research critical to the game's health, and continuing to incorporate the players' perspective in its work to advance the sport. 

Gore’s primary role will be to interact with professional and elite amateur players across the game, particularly focusing on competitors in the USGA's Open and Amateur championships.  Gore is a Southern California native, and will relocate with his wife Megan and their two children to New Jersey in the coming months. 

 

Gore will lead a team of full-time staff dedicated to player relations, including Liz Fradkin, who was previously the manager of the USGA’s Curtis Cup Team and a member of the U.S. Women's Amateur staff. 

Gore and Fradkin will be joined by Robert Zalzneck and Ali Kicklighter, who will manage USGA player services with an emphasis on onsite services at the USGA's four Open championships. 

 

USGA Senior Managing Director of Championships, John Bodenhamer said, 

"Jason is a dynamic individual who has a great passion for the USGA and the game of golf, and is widely recognized and respected by Tour players, staff, and industry influencers.  Filling this role has been a strategic priority for the organization for some time, and in Jason we have someone who will bring us player insights and share our position on matters of importance to the game." 

A brief bio of Gore includes: 

• Graduate, Pepperdine University (2000 – psychology)
• 1997 NCAA Division I team champions
• Member of the 1997 Walker Cup Team
• Competed in the U.S. Open in 1998, 2005, 2008, and 2010 
• Final Sunday pairing with Retief Goosen at Pinehurst in 2005
• Competed in the U.S. Amateur in 1992, 1993, 1995, and 1997
• Competed in the U.S. Junior Amateur in 1990
• Captured 12 professional wins (including one PGA Tour win, and an all-time record seven Web.com Tour wins) 
• Amateur wins include 1996 Sahalee Players Championship, 1997 Pacific Coast Amateur, 1997 California Amateur, and 1997 California Open (as an amateur)
• Competed in more than 500 events on the PGA Tour (291) and Web.com (233) tours
• Served on the PGA Tour’s Player Advisory Council (PAC) nine times 

 

Gore said, 

"I have the utmost respect for the USGA and proudly tell everyone that my experience in the 1997 Walker Cup was the highlight of my golf career.  I'm incredibly honored to have been invited to play this role and can’t wait to get started." 

Bodenhamer added, 

"While we've often engaged with players on a variety of projects and enjoy many longstanding relationships, this is the first time we have dedicated a team of full-time staff members to serve as year-long ambassadors for the USGA, as well as a voice for players.  We're excited to see what has been a long-term priority coming to fruition." 

To learn more about the USGA and the Office of Player Relations, visit www.USGA.org.