February 2008

Far Hills, N.J., USA – Jim Vernon of Pasadena, Calif., the newly elected president of the United States Golf Association, has been named to succeed Walter Driver Jr. as a joint chairman of the International Golf Federation (IGF).

Vernon

Vernon joins David Pepper, chairman of the general committee of The R&A, as a joint chairman of the IGF. The other IGF officers are women’s chairman Emma Villacieros (Spain) and joint secretaries, Peter Dawson (R&A) and David Fay (USGA).

The president of the USGA and the chairman of the general committee of The R&A are ex-officio joint chairmen of the IGF.

Vernon, 58, is in his sixth year as a member of the USGA Executive Committee, a term that has included two years as vice president of the Association and four years as chairman of the Equipment Standards Committee.

Vernon is a past president of the board of directors of both the Southern California Golf Association (SCGA) and the California Golf Association. He currently serves on the board of directors of the SCGA Foundation. He started volunteer work with the USGA as a member of the Sectional Affairs Committee in 1998. He is a member of Lakeside Golf Club in Burbank, Calif., and Monterey Peninsula Country Club in Pebble Beach, Calif.

Professionally, Vernon is the owner of Frank Vernon Diamond Brokers and Wholesale Jewelers, a family business that was started under his father’s name more than 50 years ago. The business has its offices in Los Angeles.

Outside of his golf activities, Vernon serves as secretary for the Diamond Club West Coast Inc., a member organization of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses. He received his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering and his law degree from Stanford University in 1972 and 1975, respectively. He practiced law for nine years before leaving his firm to take over the family diamond business.

The IGF was founded in 1958 to encourage the international development of the game and to employ golf as a vehicle to foster friendship and sportsmanship. Serving as the recognized international federation for golf for the International Olympic Committee, the IGF comprises the national governing bodies of golf in more than 110 countries.

As one of its main functions, the IGF conducts the World Amateur Team Championships for women and men on a biennial basis. The 2008 championships are scheduled for Australia. The championships for the Espirito Santo Trophy (women’s competition) and the Eisenhower Trophy (men’s competition) are set for 8-11 October and 16-19 October, respectively, at Royal Adelaide Golf Club and the Grange Golf Club near Adelaide.

For more information on the IGF, contact Stephanie Parel, IGF joint deputy secretary, at (908) 234-2300 (USA) or visit www.internationalgolffederation.org.