Golf’s 20 Most Important People of 2010

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Some people are important all of the time and some people are important some of the time.  Some are important for what they did, some for what they didn't do and some for what they own or control, including, maybe one of your favorite golf courses. 

Check our top 20. Some, we bet, you'll have to google. 

20. Billy Payne

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Billy Payne, Chairman of Augusta National GC, is certain to have the best Rolodex or smart phone contacts on the planet.  If you want it done, the best way is to give him a call. And yes, that jacket is just exactly the right color of green.

19. Mike Whan

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Mike Whan, LPGA Commissioner, had his hands full keeping the LPGA afloat in a tough economy.  Their solution: go worldwide.

18. Wally Uihlein

Wally Uihlein, CEO of Acushnet Company, which owns the Titleist and FootJoy brands. It is difficult to tell what will happened with the spin off of Acushnet from fortune Brands.  Will new stockholders like him as well as Fortune brands did?

17. Mark King

Mark King, Chief Executive Officer and President, TaylorMade Golf which also owns the Ashworth brand.

16. David Pillsbury

David Pillsbury, PGA TOUR Golf Course Properties, is also in charge of Championship Management, which runs a number of PGA Tour golf tournament including The Players. 

15 George O'Grady

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George O’Grady, Executive Director, European PGA Tour.

14. Steve Mona

Steve Mona, Chief Executive Officer, World Golf Foundation which includes the World Golf Hall of Fame.

13. Fred Couples

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Fred Couples, moves the needle and sells tickets on the Champions Tour.

12. Phil Mickelson

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Phil Mickelson, moves the needle and sells tickets on the PGA Tour.

11. Joe Munsch

Joe Munsch, CEO of Eagle Golf, which operates 70+ courses, and owns some.  Munsch, promotes free golf for kids.

10. Peter Hill

 Peter Hill, CEO Billy Casper Golf, which operates more than 110 golf courses. 

9. Jim Hinckley

Jim Hinckley, CEO of Century Golf, which owns approximately 65 courses and manages another 60+ under Arnold Palmer Golf Management.

8. Eric Affeldt

Eric Affeldt, President and CEO of ClubCorp, which owns 114 courses.

7. David Fay

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David Fay, Executive Director of the USGA.

6. Ted Forstmann

Forstmann with Vijay Singh at the AT&T
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Ted Forstmann is Chairman and CEO of IMG and the senior founding partner of the leveraged buyout firm, Forstmann Little & Co.

5. Arnold Palmer

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Arnold Palmer, because he's Arnold Palmer.

4. Jack Nicklaus

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Jack Nicklaus, because he's Jack Nicklaus.

3. Joe Steranka

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Joe Steranka, CEO of the PGA of America, representing about 22,000 PGA members.

2. Tim Finchem

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Tim Finchem, Commissioner of the PGA Tour, because he's the commissioner of three professional golf organizations, and because he is managing the organization well through a difficult economy.

1. Tiger Woods

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Tiger Woods was as important in 2010 because of his absence from golf as he was for his presence on the course in the second half of the year.