Mjcpr
5/5/2006, 09:46 AM
Johnson to step aside after eight years
ATLANTA -- Billy Payne, who ran the Atlanta Olympics a decade ago, is replacing Hootie Johnson as chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, home of The Masters.
The 75-year-old Johnson had served in the role since 1998, notably leading the fight against demands that women be allowed to join the club.
Johnson also ordered two major overhauls of the course, adding hundreds of yards in length and toughening holes in an effort to cope with improved equipment and longer-hitting players.
A South Carolina native and member of the club since 1968, Johnson moved up to become the club's fifth chairman after Jack Stephens stepped down.
http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=2434265
ATLANTA -- Billy Payne, who ran the Atlanta Olympics a decade ago, is replacing Hootie Johnson as chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, home of The Masters.
The 75-year-old Johnson had served in the role since 1998, notably leading the fight against demands that women be allowed to join the club.
Johnson also ordered two major overhauls of the course, adding hundreds of yards in length and toughening holes in an effort to cope with improved equipment and longer-hitting players.
A South Carolina native and member of the club since 1968, Johnson moved up to become the club's fifth chairman after Jack Stephens stepped down.
http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=2434265