Diana Murphy set to become second-ever female USGA president

The USGA will have a female president for the second time in its 121-year history in February, when Diana M. Murphy assumes the role at the association’s annual meeting in San Diego.

“I am deeply honored,” said Murphy, from St. Simons Island, Ga., in a statement. “Since first being introduced to the USGA in 1988, I have had opportunities to watch the organization evolve and develop stronger relationships with members, golf facilities and industry colleagues. Golf has greatly benefited from the leaders and volunteers who have come before us, and who continue to give back to the game.”

The 59-year-old has been a member of the association’s powerful Executive Committee for five years but has been formally involved with the USGA since 1996. She served as association vice-president in 2014 and ’15.

Murphy succeeds Thomas O’Toole, whose, as is custom, is finishing out his second of consecutive one-year terms. She will be the first female USGA president since Judy Bell held the post in 1996-97. Curiously, Bell succeeded Murphy’s husband, Reg, who was president in 1994-95.

A journalism graduate of West Virginia University in 1978, Murphy is the managing director of Rocksolid Holdings, LLC, a private-equity firm, and of the Georgia Research Alliance Venture Fund, which supports the state’s public and private research universities.

Murphy will have to work closely with broadcast partner Fox Sports, which enters the second year of a 12-year deal to air the association’s championships. Fox, which Murphy declared a game-changer for the USGA, struggled in Year 1, particularly with the U.S. Open.

Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.

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