ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- Peter Dawson, chief executive of the Royal & Ancient Club in St. Andrews, Scotland, has been named chairman of the World Golf Foundation for 2009. Dawson succeeds USGA Executive Director David Fay, who served as the foundation's 2008 chairman.

Dawson has served as the R&A's chief executive since 1999. He joined the World Golf Foundation Board in 2006, when the board was reconfigured to include the chief executives of golf's leading global organizations. At that same time, it was determined that the role of chairman should rotate among the members of the board's executive committee.

In addition to Dawson and Fay, other executive committee members include Jim Armstrong, executive director of Augusta National Golf Club; Carolyn Bivens, commissioner of the LPGA; Tim Finchem, commissioner of the PGA Tour; George O'Grady, chief executive of the European Tour; and Joe Steranka, chief executive officer of the PGA of America.

"I'm delighted to assume the chairman's role for 2009," said Dawson. "Golf's global growth continues to present challenges and opportunities to golf organizations around the world. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the foundation's board and staff to ensure that the foundation is playing a leading role in the development of the game."

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