LIV Golf Investments, a new golf corporation sponsored by the Public Investment Fund, which works on behalf of the Saudi government, has put the pieces in place. Following the revelation last week that Greg Norman would be the new league’s commissioner and CEO, two more names have emerged as significant members of the leadership team.
The company announced on Friday that Sean Bratches has been named Chief Commercial Officer and Ron Cross has been named Chief Events Officer. Both men have extensive golf and sports expertise, particularly Cross, who has spent the past 30 years in various leadership capacities at the PGA Tour and Augusta National Golf Club.
Cross oversaw such high-profile events as the Presidents Cup, Tour Championship, and World Golf Championships during his time on the Tour. He was involved with grow-the-game activities at Augusta National during the Billy Payne period, such as the Asia-Pacific Amateur, which is being contested this week.
In a press statement, Cross said, “I am honored by the opportunity to work alongside Greg, Sean, and the whole LIV Golf Investments team as we try to improve the game of golf on a worldwide basis.” “Being a little part of a huge transformation in the way golf is played and enjoyed while still having a beneficial impact on the communities where we play is another dream come true for me.”
Ron Cross, Sean Bratches
Ron Cross, left, and Sean Bratches (Photos submitted)
Bratches has approximately 30 years of experience with ESPN, including executive vice president of sales and marketing and a place on the ESPN board of directors, as well as Formula 1.
According to the statement, Cross and Bratches will begin working with LIV Golf Investments immediately.
“I am encouraged by the broad vision we have for the sport and the platform we will build to benefit professional golfers, the sport’s commercial partners, and, most importantly, golf’s passionate fans throughout the world,” Bratches said.
Aside from Cross, Bratches, and Norman’s involvement, little else is known about the new institution, such as who will play or where events will take place. Previous announcements claimed that the game would commence in 2022.
LIV Golf Investments stated that other leadership announcements would follow the announcements of Cross and Bratches.
