New out of Golf House in Oakville today is that five positions have been slashed by the RCGA, including two senior staffers — Teri Yamada and Paul MacDonald. Yamada, who once ran the organization’s agronomy program, and was well respected in that role, had been shuffled to the position of director of communications in recent months. It isn’t clear immediately who is filling her position — if anyone.
MacDonald ran membership for the organization, something that has been a huge stumbling block for the RCGA. Executive director Scott Simmons has made a huge commitment to raising public membership in the organization and perhaps MacDonald wasn’t seen as the person to drive that. I’m of the opinion that public membership will be a challenge, and the current public player program has, according to my sources, been largely a bust.
Three others also departed — though the names weren’t released.
Finally, just as Simmons came back after a departure from the RCGA, the organization yesterday announced the hiring of Peri Luel as “chief commercial officer.” He “will be responsible for the development and implementation of all of the RCGAs strategic commercial and business development efforts,” according to the RCGA. Interestingly, Luel was at the RCGA from 1991-96 and also worked for IMG Sports. He’s generally well regarded from those I’ve spoken with.
UPDATE: Apparently RCGA COO Rick Desrochers is also leaving the organization, stepping down from his post and taking a consulting role with the organization. Surprised to see this didn’t make the press release.
A bestselling author and award-winning columnist, Robert Thompson has been writing about business and sports, and particularly golf, for almost two decades. His reporting and commentary on golf has appeared in 
You know it amazes me that after 24 hours there are no commen ts about either of the outcomes of the press releases of the RCGA.
When I worked there every one was a big deal. (not that I had a big part) but it was National news.