Martin Slumbers to step down from the R&A by the end of 2024

Martin Slumbers is set to step down from his role at the R&A

After nine years as CEO of The R&A, Martin Slumbers has announced he is set to leave his post at the end of the year.

The 63-year-old, who also serves as the Secretary of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, will oversee The 152^nd Open at Royal Troon and the return of the Women’s Open to St Andrews, before relinquishing his role before the end of 2024. An executive search firm has been appointed to find his successor.

Slumbers said: “It has been a privilege to serve golf at the highest level. It is a role that I have been proud to carry out on behalf of The R&A’s employees, the members of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club and all our global partners. In any career, there is a time to allow the next generation to have its turn.

“I am grateful to have had the honor, for nearly a decade, to have been the custodian of all that The R&A and the game of golf more broadly represents.“

Since succeeding Peter Dawson as R&A chief in 2015, Slumbers has played a key role in modernizing the R&A’s activities and growing participation rates to a record high.

He oversaw the high-profile merger with the Ladies’ Golf Union in 2017, the 2019 modernization of the Rules of Golf, and the roll-out of the World Handicap System in 2020. More recently he has been at the forefront of the Distance Insights process, the outcome of which was controversially announced in December 2023 – you can read the full breakdown here.

But perhaps his greatest success story can be attributed to the launch of a Women In Golf Charter, which has run alongside various campaigns to help break down barriers to entry for women and girls. So far, over 1,000 organizations have signed up and committed to creating a more inclusive culture within golf as a result of his push for equality and inclusivity.

At elite level, Slumbers has also played a key role in growing the Women’s Open prize fund, from $3.25 million in 2017 to $9 million last year, and was widely praised for removing Muirfield from the men’s Open rota hours after members of the Scottish club voted against abolishing its men-only rule in 2016.

His swift response ultimately forced through a U-turn 10 months later and helped reassert his position as one of the most powerful men in golf. The fact he also served on the boards of the Official World Golf Ranking, the International Golf Federation, and the LET is a testament to that.

“In Martin, we have been fortunate to have a CEO who has steered the organization through a period of growth and enhanced the profile and reputation of our sport to make it more accessible, appealing and inclusive,” said Niall Farquharson, Chairman of The R&A. 

“Through his stature and influence in the world of golf and sport more widely and in growing the proceeds of The Open to invest back into the game, he has been true to The R&A’s purpose of golf thriving 50 years from now and has shown transformational leadership. He speaks often of reflecting history in a modern way and that will be his legacy to The R&A and to the Club.”

As part of the R&A’s £200 million commitment to improving participation, coaching, and sustainability, Slumbers was especially instrumental in the development of Golf It!, a revolutionary center in Glasgow which aims to make golf more accessible to golfers and non-golfers alike.

The golf and entertainment facility has been widely lauded in the industry since opening last summer and boasts an extensive range of introductory formats, including pitch and putt, a nine-hole short course, three adventure golf courses, community putting greens, and a 52-bay floodlit driving range.

We spoke exclusively with the outgoing CEO in November to discuss his drive for equality and sustainability, whether the R&A would consider Saudi investment, and how likely it is that Portmarnock will be added to The Open rota. You can read the full piece here.

About the author

Michael Catling – Features Editor

Michael Catling is an award-winning journalist who specializes in golf’s Majors and Tours, including DP World, PGA, LPGA, and LIV.

Michael joined Today’s Golfer in 2016 and has traveled the world to attend the game’s biggest events and secure exclusive interviews with the game’s biggest names, including Jack Nicklaus, Jordan Spieth, Tom Watson, Greg Norman, Gary Player, Martin Slumbers and Justin Thomas.

Get in touch with Michael via email and follow him on X.