Former European Tour chief executive George O’Grady has been announced as the first president of Centurion Club in Hertfordshire.
The Hemel Hempstead-based club, which first opened in 2013, boasts an 18-hole championship course and a brand new clubhouse, whose centrepiece is restaurant operated by Michelin-starred brothers Chris and Jeff Galvin.
O’Grady joined the European Tour in 1974, and spent over 40 years as an administrator, during which time he revolutionised the way in which the Tour was operated globally. As well as being the driving force behind implementing the Race to Dubai and Final Series initiatives, O’Grady also oversaw the significant growth of the Ryder Cup, and instigated strong relationships with golfing bodies and fellow Tours across the globe. He was honoured in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2010, receiving a CBE for services to sport.
“It’s an honour and pleasure to have George as our first ever club president,” said Scott Evans, managing director of Centurion Club. “He comes to us with a wealth of invaluable expertise concerning elite golfing on a global level, and all of us here at Centurion are looking forward to welcoming him to the club in the very near future.”
O’Grady, who stepped down from his role at the European Tour at the beginning of 2015, said: “Centurion Club is a beautiful golfing venue that is at the forefront of merging golf with modern life. From the challenging, yet breathtaking course, to the elegant and contemporary clubhouse, the club offers a glimpse into what life as a 21st century golfer should be like, and I’m looking forward to being a part of that vision as the first president of this prestigious club.”