BOYNTON BEACH — To pinpoint the time Kevin Hammer was introduced to golf is virtually impossible. That’s because it happened about the time Hammer was introduced to life more than a half-century ago.
“I was basically raised in the cart barn at Delray Dunes,” said Hammer, whose father, Laurie, was the club’s longtime head professional. “Whether it was hanging out in the cart barn, the clubhouse or the range, golf was part of my life. There’s no better way to grow up as a kid than being a kid around a golf course.”
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Hammer is no longer a kid – he turned 54 on Nov. 25, the same day he celebrated his 30th anniversary with wife Karen – but he’s still living on a golf course, at The Club at Quail Ridge, just down, naturally, Golf Road, from Delray Dunes in Boynton Beach. And his life still revolves around golf.
(From left to right) Laurie Hammer, Kevin Hammer, Bob Murphy and Pete Dye, who designed Delray Dunes for his first course in Florida, pose for a photo on the golf course.
How much? He soon will take over as the 68th president of the U.S. Golf Association, the governing body of the sport in the United States and Mexico. Hammer becomes the first South Florida native to ascend to this powerful position.
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It’s not a role he takes lightly. Nor should he.
“It’s just an incredible honor, privilege, responsibility … kind of all these things wrapped up into one,” Hammer said. “A lot of different emotions and feelings about it, but pride and just a real deep sense of gratitude for being involved in the game my whole life.”
Kevin Hammer once was nation’s top-ranked junior golfer
Kevin Hammer surrounded by his family, (from left) Alexa, Karen, Ava, Ella
The USGA hierarchy is glad to have Hammer and his golf-filled resume. He was the nation’s top-ranked junior golfer, played collegiately at the University of Florida, qualified for four USGA championships (his GHIN handicap is plus-1) and spent 10 years on the Florida State Golf Association Executive Committee, the last two as president (2020-21).
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“I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Kevin Hammer as the next president of the USGA,” said USGA CEO Mike Whan. “His deep passion for golf, experience and relationships across all levels of the game, and unwavering commitment to our mission make him the ideal person to lead our executive committee into the future. Together, we’ll continue driving the game forward, strengthening its future and deepening its impact.”
About the only thing Hammer didn’t do in golf was make a living playing it. He briefly tried to turn pro, but instead turned to investment management. He’s been with Merrill Lynch for 27 years, currently serving as the managing director of the firm’s Rubin, Hammer, Eaton & Conrad Wealth Management Group, which manages investments for individuals, families, foundations and professional athletes.
“He was too smart to turn pro,” two-time PGA champion Dave Stockton said with a laugh. Stockton teamed with Laurie Hammer to win the 1967 Haig and Haig Scotch Foursome, at the time an official PGA Tour event, and the families were very close. Two years later, Laurie left the PGA Tour to become a PGA Professional and spend more time with his family.
“Kevin will do a phenomenal job as the USGA President,” Stockton said. “I knew it had to happen, but it surprised me it happened when he was this young. He has a great mind for solving issues and problems. Nothing appears to stress him.”
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The elder Hammer said he didn’t push his son to become a pro, but he is happy he’s still heavily involved in the game. They have teamed up to win Father-Son tournaments at iconic Palm Valley, as well as locally in the Pop Sikes tournaments at Atlantis. Golf always has been a familiar topic at the Hammer dinner table
“We’re obviously very proud of of him,” said Laurie Hammer, who was Delray Dunes’ head professional for 41 years. “His avocation certainly has been golf. He loves every part of it, and he’s been fortunate to have met a lot of great people in the game.”
Dave Stockton, Bob Murphy mentors to Hammer
If it seems like Hammer acts older than his age, it’s because his life has been filled with older mentors such as Stockton and Bob Murphy, who teamed with Laurie to host a pro-am at Delray Dunes that raised almost $4 million for Bethesda Hospital
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“Golf is very lucky to have him in this position,” said Murphy, who won 21 professional titles, spent 20 years as a golf commentator and used to live next door to the Hammers. “I’m not surprised at all he’s going to be president because he’s the kind of guy who will fire up people.
“Kevin’s always been very concerned about the way the Tour is going with the golf ball going so far. I don’t feel good about that myself. This is a matter I strongly believe finally needs to be addressed.”
The USGA and the R&A have spent years doing studies on the impact of the golf ball traveling farther. Metrics by which golf balls are manufactured, in order to conform to the Rules of Golf, are currently scheduled to slightly change in 2028 for “elite” competitions and for all play by 2030.
Hammer didn’t shy away from the subject when asked last week.
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“We are willing to do the uneasy work,” he said of the USGA. “As forward-looking and caring stewards, we would not be doing our jobs if we didn’t take a close look at the impact of the ever-growing land footprints that the modern outdoor game requires. The continuing rate of distance increases adversely affects time, cost, design, access and more.
“Essentially, we are trying to keep distance in the current range over a longer period of time. We must, and we will, strive to ensure that the game remains fun, viable, and accessible long term. After all, it is the hundred million-plus people around the world who play golf that drive the game forward.”
On another major issue in golf – LIV Golf vs. the PGA Tour – Hammer has taken a softer stance. Mainly, because it’s not his battle. And, secondly, he believes the confrontation hasn’t had a completely negative impact on the game. It’s mainly been a battle between millionaires.
“I’ll turn it around and say that it really boils down that people are interested in golf, they’re interested in new forms of golf,” Hammer said. “At some point we’ve got to step back and say, ‘What a beautiful scenario that people all over the world, from all walks of life, want to get involved in the game of golf.’ And that’s probably positive.”
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Hammer officially takes over as USGA president on Feb. 28
Kevin Hammer and his daughter, Alexa, pose after they won a FSGA event together.
Hammer officially takes over the USGA presidency Feb. 28 in New York – the USGA is now announcing its new leader six months before the date – and that gives him time to be here while the oldest of his three daughters, Alexa, gets married in Palm Beach later this month.
Talk about a power golf couple: Alexa, who accepted an Arnold Palmer Scholarship to attend St. Andrew University in Scotland, will marry Clancy Waugh, the son of recent PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh.
“There’s another example how golf brings people together,” Hammer said. “They met at a junior tournament when they were maybe 14 years old and always had an interesting connection. Never saw much of each other because they were living in different parts of the country or the world, especially for college. But they would continue to reconnect every couple years, and their relationship has grown into something extremely special.”
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Hammer’s passions are his family and golf, in that order. He learned that from his father. It’s why Hammer waited until the youngest daughter, Ella, was 18 and attending college and his middle daughter Ava, 24, has graduated and was working in real estate, to take on a time-consuming job as USGA President.
Asked what he would like to see happen most to golf during his USGA presidency, he returned to the family theme: Civilty.
“Golf has always been the game, the sport, the recreation that we are proud to introduce to our kids and our grandkids,” he said. “Together, we need to make sure it stays that way.”
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Kevin Hammer taking over as 68th president of US Golf Association
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