It would be hard to find in the annals of business an instance of a better fit between an organization, an era, and a leader than the USGA andDavid Fay over the last twenty one years.
In a era of prosperity in golf, manic growth in its governing body, and tumult in protecting the game from the onslaught of technology and companies that sought profit at the game's expense, David was a steady and concentrated force. Not publicly gregarious, never seeking to force himself into the forefront, David kept the principals that he cherished as his guides, never the current trend or fashion. He never argued with detractors- his or the USGA's. He always had just the right word, phrase, or sentence that seemed to set the public record straight. One remembers, for example, the press conference at Olympic where USGA President Buzz Taylor made the announcement about the proposed COR limitation on drivers. When the questioning got tough, David "saved the day" by stating that no driver then in use would fail the COR test, and the waters were quieted.
David's staff admired him and enjoyed working for him. Nothing better can be said about a leader.