A call was from Mike Davis, the new United States Golf Association executive director, the man most responsible for the 2015 U.S. Open being awarded to Chambers Bay Golf Course.
Seeing how late it was on the East Coast – the USGA headquarters are located in Far Hills, N.J. – Bodenhamer knew the call was important.
The result of the call is steering Bodenhamer’s golf career in a new direction.
As part of Davis’ reshuffling of the USGA’s senior-level staff, Bodenhamer, 49, was announced Thursday as the new senior managing director of rules, competitions and amateur status.
The move will return Bodenhamer, a Lakes High graduate, to a part of golf he touched when he first became executive director of the PNGA in 1990 – managing championship competitions.
No longer will it be the Pacific Coast Amateur, or the Washington State Amateur. Now, Bodenhamer will help set up the USGA’s national events, both opens and amateurs.
“The opportunity caught me between the eyes,” Bodenhamer said. “I thought long and hard about it, and gathered more information … and it became apparent the position and the responsibilities present challenges I find intriguing.”
On the surface, the new job looks a lot like Davis’ old job, senior director of rules and competitions. In many ways, it is. Davis will continue to play a large role in U.S. Open site selections and championship setups.
Bodenhamer will oversee much of what goes on at those marquee events, and will report to Davis and USGA managing director Jeff Hall.
Also, Bodenhamer will be the key ambassador in the USGA’s resurgent relationship with the R&A, which governs golf played in much of the world, as well as have a hand in the future of equipment testing.
CHIP SHOTS
David Mathis shot a 5-under 65 Thursday to grab the opening round lead at the St. Jude Classic in Memphis, Tenn. Mathis jumped to the top of the leaderboard late in the day, finishing with six birdies and one late bogey. Robert Karlssonshot a 66 and was tied for second with John Merrick, Kris Blanks, Kevin Kisner and Colt Knost. … Mindy Kim shot a career-low 64 to take a two-stroke lead after the first round of the LPGA State Farm Classic. Sarah Kemp and Jiyai Shin were tied for second at 6-under at Panther Creek Country Club in Springfield, Ill.
TRACKING ANDRES GONZALES
THIS WEEK: PGA Tour’s FedEx St. Jude Classic, through Sunday, TPC Southwind, Memphis, Tenn.
First-round score: 5-over 75.
Position: Tied for 130th – trailing leader David Mathis (65).
Recap: The Capital High School graduate was 8-over after 15 holes, including double bogeys at the 12th and 15th holes, but ended his round with three consecutive birdies – capped by a 25-putt on the finishing hole.
Tee time today: Gonzales at 11:21 a.m. PDT off the 10th tee.
Todd Milles, staff writer
