Jay Mottola to step down as MGA Executive Director

ELMSFORD, N.Y. (August 19, 2016) – The Metropolitan Golf Association (MGA) has announced today that Jay Mottola will be stepping down as the Executive Director of the Association at the end of the 2016 calendar year. Mottola has acted in this position for the past 34 years, leading the Association and its charitable MGA Foundation and helping to establish the MGA as a leader among regional and national golf organizations.

For more than 110 years, the MGA has been fostering sportsmanship, conducting championships, providing handicaps, and offering a multitude of member and club services and promoting the best interests of the game throughout the Tri-State Metropolitan Area.

Mottola joined the staff full time in 1980 as the Deputy Executive Director, and was promoted to Executive Director just two years later. During his 34 years in the position, the Tuxedo, N.Y., native has guided the Association through perhaps its most prolific period in history—years highlighted by growth and an expansion of the Association’s extensive service program. The launch of The Met Golfer, the creation of the MGA Foundation, and the building of “Golf Central”, as home to the MGA and a host of other area golf organizations, all unfolded during Mottola’s tenure. Current MGA President Steve Boyd noted that, “Jay’s service to the game also extended to the national level as he has worked closely with the USGA and the Golf 20/20 Executive Committee on important projects which benefited the game on an industry-wide basis.”   Mottola was recently recognized by the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association with their Distinguished Service Award.

MGA Vice President Michael Sullivan stated, “Jay’s countless contributions to and leadership of our Association over the past 30 plus years has been unparalleled. The golfers and clubs throughout the entire region are thankful for his dedicated service.” Sullivan, who will head the Search Committee charged with finding a new Executive Director, added, “As we undergo this leadership transition, we are delighted that Jay will continue to work with the MGA in an advisory role so that the Association and local golf community will continue to benefit from his years of experience.”

According to Mottola, “It has been an honor to serve the great members and clubs of the MGA. I am thankful for the Executive Committee’s support over the course of my tenure, and I owe a debt of gratitude to my colleagues on the staff and to all the MGA volunteers past and present for their dedication to the game and for their work in making the MGA one of the game’s premier organizations.   I look forward to my new role and to continuing to serve the Association into the future.”

MGA has engaged RSR Partners, a Greenwich, Conn.–based executive search and leadership consulting firm, to lead a nationwide search to find Mottola’s successor. The firm’s Sport Leadership Practice is regarded as the preeminent, privately-held board and executive suite search and consulting practice serving the sport sector.

For all inquiries, including expressions of interest from potential candidates, please contact Dany Berghoff at sportleadership@rsrpartners.com.