The PGA of america announced on Friday that embattled president Don Rea has been replaced for the rest of his term, and that vice president Nathan Charnes will replace him. Rea’s two-year term was set to conclude in November, but the PGA of America said in an announcement about the moves, “The Board’s action followed a series of issues over time that, taken together, were determined to be detrimental to the Association.”Rea, a PGA Master Professional and golf course operator from Mesa, Ariz., was elected to be the 44th president of the PGA of America in November 2024. His first very public exposure came at the 2025 PGA Championship when Rea spoke over PGA CEO David Sprague during a press conference discussion about the controversial proposed golf ball rollback.
But a bigger firestorm came during and after September’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, where there were taunting incidents by American fans against the European players–Rory McIlroy in particular–that crossed the line of decency Ahead of Sunday’s singles play, before Europe closed out an stunning road victory, Rea was asked by the BBC about the fan abuse.“Well, you’ve got 50,000 people here that are really excited and, heck, you could go to a youth soccer game and get some people who say the wrong things,” Rea said He also said: “It happened when we were in Rome on the other side and Rory understands.. things like that are going to happen and I don’t know what was said.
But all I know is golf is the engine of good. “Those comments produced a wave of criticism, including past U. S. Open winner Matt Fitzpatrick calling out Rea in the week after the tournament. “The interview with the PGA guy saying it was the same in Rome.
That’s pretty offensive to european fans,” the Englishman said. One day later, Rea sent a letter to the 30,000-plus golf professionals in his organization in which he acknowledged and condemned poor fan behavior, and apologized to the European players. “While it wasn’t my intention, some of my comments were seen in a negative light which reflects poorly on not only myself but also on the PGA of America and for that I truly apologize,” Rea wrote.
Beyond Rea’s comments at the ryder Cup, a video went viral of him doing karaoke to Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” on Saturday night at Bethpage, while American players and fans were seemingly feeling despair over the huge lead Europe had taken. Since the Ryder Cup, Rea has been removed from the PGA Tour Policy Board and rarely made public appearances on behalf of the PGA of America. He appeared at January’s PGA Show in only a limited role.
Terry clark replaced Sprague as CEO in February, and Rea was noticeably absent last week from the panel of PGA leaders who hold a Wednesday press conference ahead of the PGA Championship. Asked in the press conference about Rea’s absence and current role in the PGA, Clark said, “Specifically, what we’ve asked is for Don to keep his focus on the member side, and we’ve tried to keep the right responsibilities across our distinct leaders in here. So that’s it.”
