Asian Tour appoints new CEO after European tie-up
American sports marketing executive Josh Burack will take over next month as CEO of the Asian Tour, the regional golf body said on Thursday, replacing Mike Kerr who resigned in December. The appointment of Burack, who will take up the role on October 17, follows the announcement in July of a "strategic alliance" with the European Tour. The Asian and European bodies had previously discussed merging their playing memberships and business interests, creating a mega-tour with the potential to tilt golf's global landscape. Former CEO Kerr had backed the merger but his resignation late last year saw the Asian Tour, under the leadership of interim tour commissioner Kyi Hla Han, instead negotiate a deal with Europe in which the Asian Tour retains its own identity and membership. Kerr's stance had resulted in deep divisions among players and the board, fearful of being left in the shade by their European counterparts. "I am very excited to join the Asian Tour," said Burack, A Singapore resident with 25 years of experience in sports marketing and related areas. "With the recent announcement of its strategic alliance with the European Tour, the future for professional golf in Asia is extremely bright." When Burack takes office, Han will relinquish the role of tour commissioner but will remain as a full member on the board of directors, working with Burack during a transitional period until the end of the year.
