TROON, Scotland — Prize money announcements are usually accompanied by no commentary, just the money up for grabs at golf tournaments that week and boilerplate comments from tournament officials, so it was a bit surprising to see some fiery remarks from outgoing R&A CEO Martin Slumbers in a letter about prize money for the 152nd British Open.
“If we want to continue the significant increases in participation that are essential to golf’s future, a choice must be made,” Slumbers said Monday. “We remain concerned about the impact that a significant increase in men’s professional prize money will have on golf’s recognition and long-term financial sustainability. We are determined to act with the global game’s interests in mind as we pursue our goal of ensuring golf continues to thrive 50 years from now.”
Slumbers has lined the bank accounts of many players against a backdrop of professional golf’s civil war, but has also shrouded the sport in a stigma of self-preservation and greed. Just look at the Open’s finances: With more than $3 million to be paid to the winner this week and $18 million to the participants combined, the Open isn’t even ranked in the top 25 of golf’s richest tournaments.
Speaking to media at Royal Troon on Wednesday, Slumbers renewed his concerns about the impact excesses at the top level have on the whole sporting world.
“We have always had competitive prize money for the British Open, but our broader focus is to increase participation and improve golf’s pathways,” Slumbers said. “We must make choices about how we allocate resources and make the best possible use of the resources we have.”
“Projects like these require funding, and we must find ways to deliver more of these to accelerate and sustain the upward trend in golf participation. But perhaps the most important factor in golf’s future success is staying true to its values. What sets golf apart from other sports is its ability to maintain its own values - values defined by integrity, personal responsibility and respect. These are the very values that sponsors want to associate with their products and services, and they are at the core of golf’s appeal. These values are golf’s secret weapon, and we cannot afford to dilute them.”
Slumbers said the key is to achieve a natural balance, and that he doesn’t expect the growth to continue. He also rejected the idea that he was only speaking freely because he is retiring at the end of the year. “Not only because this is my last press conference, but I’ve decided this year to express my true belief that we need to remember the whole pyramid, that we need to remember the importance of the base and the top, and that we can’t grow without one,” Slumbers explained.
Asked by Slumbers why he was holding a moment of silence now, the R&A chief said he had a deep interest in getting more people involved in golf and that the money professionals make could thwart that ambition – even if other golf leaders don’t feel the same way.
“I’m not worried about it being a lone voice. Leadership is a lonely thing,” Slumbers said, “but I think it’s important that we speak up, and I think there are more people who are heard than those who aren’t.”
Slumbers announced earlier this year that he would step down from his role after nine years and will be succeeded by Premiership Rugby Club CEO Mark Darbon.