10/3/2006

Far Hills, N.J., USA – David Pepper, who recently became Chairman of the General Committee of The R&A, has been named to succeed David Harrison as the Joint Chairman of the International Golf Federation (IGF), the organization has announced.

Pepper, who was on The R&A’s Championship Committee from 1988-1992 and again from 2000-2004 with the last three years as Chairman, becomes a Joint Chairman of the Federation with Walter Driver, President of the United States Golf Association (USGA). As Joint Chairman, he will work closely with Vicky Whyte, Women’s Chairman, and the Joint Secretaries of the IGF: Peter Dawson, Secretary of The R&A, and David Fay, Executive Director of the USGA.

"I am delighted to rejoin the Federation as its Joint Chairman and will do my best in helping it further the development of the game of golf throughout the world," Pepper said.

Pepper, 66, of West Midlands, England, was The R&A representative to the IGF ‘s Administrative Committee from 2001-2004. He began his R&A service as a member of the Rules of Golf Committee from 1983-1987 and again from 1993-1994. He was Committee Chairman from 1995-1999. During his time as Chairman of the Rules of Golf and Championship Committees, he was an ex-officio member of the General Committee.

In addition, he has served on the Implements and Ball Committee, the Commercial Committee and the 250th Anniversary Committee. He has been a member of The R&A since 1967.

An accountant by profession, he is a long-time member of Little Aston Golf Club, where he is currently president, having served previously as treasurer and captain.

A past treasurer and captain of The Midland Junior Golf Society, Pepper is currently a committee member of The Senior Golfers’ Society.

He is married to Angela and they have four children.

The IGF was founded in 1958 as the World Amateur Golf Council to encourage the international development of the game and to employ golf as a vehicle to foster friendship and sportsmanship. Recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the official federation for golf, the IGF comprises the national governing bodies of golf in more than 100 countries.

As one of its main functions, the IGF conducts the World Amateur Team Championships for women and men on a biennial basis. The 2006 Championships will be conducted this month in South Africa.