R and A's NEW CEO COULD GIVE GOLF BALL 

TECHNOLOGY ISSUE TOP PRIORITY
 
FROM GOLFWEEK.COM
By ALASTAIR TAIT 

Can Slumbers nap on the job?

That was the thought that came to me after a round table discussion with R and A chief executive Peter Dawson and his successor Martin Slumbers in St Andrews.
Slumbers begins working with the R and A on March 2 and will shadow Dawson for six months before taking full control of the reins when Dawson retires after 16 years in September.

You could be forgiven for wondering what on earth Mr. Slumbers (pictured) is going to do in his dual role as R and A chief executive and secretary of the Royal and Ancient, given that Dawson has already been taken care of all the contentious issues.
Or has he?
Dawson has settled the long-putter issue. He’s helped get golf into the Olympic Games. More importantly, he’s turned 261 years of history and misogyny on its head by successfully pushing through new rules that have seen women become members of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club.
Looks like Slumbers is set for an easy ride looking after the normal functions of the governing body and the world’s most influential golf club.
However, could it be that Slumbers is about to take on a bigger issue? Could he be the man to tackle the vexed issue of the golf ball and the distance it travels?
The R and A recently announced plans for a new equipment testing centre at Kingsbarns. The 22,750-square-foot facility will house the R&A’s Equipment Standards department under the direction of Dr. Steve Otto, director of research and testing at The R&A.
There have been rumblings from St Andrews recently that the R&A is set to do something about the ball. Is that the reason for the new equipment facility?
Could Slumbers be in for a potentially bigger challenge than anything Dawson faced?
Watch this space.