Captains Club
Our Mission
The Captains Club is an organization comprised of an international group of champions, administrators and influential individuals who have contributed significantly to the game of golf. Its mission is inspired by the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday's founder and host, Jack Nicklaus, and is rooted in advising on the conduct and constitution of this prestigious annual PGA TOUR event.
With one of its founding objectives established to annually select an individual(s) as the Memorial Tournament Honoree — persons who have distinguished themselves in the game of golf and in whose honor the Tournament is played each year — the Captains Club more broadly convenes to discuss the state of the game, with a commitment to celebrate and protect its rich traditions, while enhancing the game's global growth.
Members of the Captains Club
Judy Bell
Former President of the USGA (1996-97); past captain and player for U.S. Curtis Cup team
O. Gordon Brewer, Jr.
Former Chairman of Pine Valley Golf Club; two-time U.S. Senior Amateur champion
Sandy Dawson
Past Captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (2013-14)
Timothy Finchem
Former Commissioner of the PGA TOUR (1994-2016); 2022 inductee to the World Golf Hall of Fame
Dr. Trey Holland
Former President of the USGA (2000-02)
Hale Irwin
Hall of Famer with three U.S. Open titles; two-time winner of the Memorial Tournament
Tony Jacklin
1969 British Open and 1970 U.S. Open champion; member of the World Golf Hall of Fame
Ken Lindsay
Former President of the PGA of America (1997-98)
Charles S. Mechem, Jr.
Former Commissioner of the LPGA (1990-95); now holds title of Commissioner Emeritus
Barbara Nicklaus
Recognized as the "First Lady of Golf"; tireless supporter for charitable causes, primarily children's health care
Jack Nicklaus II
General Chairman of the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday; golf course designer
Steve Nicklaus
President of the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday
Andy North
1978 and 1985 U.S. Open champion; television golf analyst for ESPN
Hisamitsu Ohnishi
Former Vice Chairman of the Japan Golf Tour Organization; leader in the development of Japan’s professional golf tour
Fred S. Ridley
Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club; 1975 U.S. Amateur champion and former President of the USGA (2004-05)
Johann Rupert
Chairman of the South African Tour and Chairman of the South African Golf Development Board
Carol Semple Thompson
Accomplished amateur player and former member of the USGA Executive Committee
Advisors to the Captains Club
Jay Monahan
Commissioner of the PGA TOUR (2017-present)
Sellers Shy
CBS Sports Lead Golf Producer
Derek Sprague
CEO of the PGA of America (2025-present)
Mike Whan
CEO of the United State Golf Association (2021-present)
Presenting Sponsor
Official Tournament Partners
