Lausanne, Switzerland -- The Board of the International Golf Federation has named Jane Geddes, LPGA Sr. Vice President Tournament Operations and Player Services, as its Chairman. Additionally, The IGF Board has named Peter Dawson as IGF President and Ty Votaw as IGF Vice President. The appointments are for two-year terms commencing on Jan. 1, 2011.

"I'm honored to be selected to serve as Chairman of the Board, and I look forward to working with all members of the IGF and golf family worldwide as we continue to grow this sport globally," said Geddes, who took her executive position with the LPGA in 2007. "Golf in the Olympics in 2016 is truly a game-changer for our sport."

Geddes joined the LPGA as a player in August 1983, and posted 11 top-10 finishes in her first three seasons. Her first of 11 victories came at the 1986 U.S. Women's Open, when she defeated Sally Little in an 18-hole playoff. Geddes is one of only 14 players in LPGA history to claim the U.S. Women's Open as her first LPGA title. She was a member of the 1996 U.S. Solheim Cup team and assistant captain for the 2002 and 2003 matches.

Dawson, Chief Executive of The R&A, has served as Joint Secretary of the IGF since 1999. Votaw, an Executive Vice President at the PGA TOUR, served as Executive Director of the IGF Olympic Golf Committee, which coordinated golf's Olympic bid, from July 2008 until Nov. 1, 2010. In October 2009, the bid process culminated in the International Olympic Committee voting golf and rugby sevens on to the program of Olympic sports commencing in 2016.

Antony Scanlon, formerly Head of Olympic Games Coordination, Operations and Services at the IOC, took over as Executive Director of the IGF on Nov. 1.

"I am honored to become the first President of the International Golf Federation," Dawson said. "Today's announcements, coupled with Antony Scanlon's appointment as IGF Executive Director and our relocation to Lausanne, demonstrates golf's determination to play an active part in the Olympic Movement. With the collective strength of the world's leading golf organizations behind us, I am confident that the IGF is well-placed to meet the challenges that lie ahead."

"It is gratifying to have the confidence of the IGF Board and I look forward to continuing to work with Peter on behalf of the IGF and the sport as a whole," Votaw said. "As we look ahead, the work has just begun in regard to the Olympic Games and the coordination efforts that are required in order to ensure success in Rio. But we very much look forward to the challenge."

Geddes, Dawson and Votaw will continue in their existing roles with their respective organizations.

Alongside Geddes, Dawson and Votaw, the IGF Board of Directors also includes: John Byers, Director of Rules and International Affairs of the Brazil Golf Confederation; David Fay, Executive Director of the United States Golf Association; Tim Finchem, Commissioner of the PGA TOUR; George O'Grady, Chief Executive of the European Tour; Joe Steranka, Chief Executive Officer of the PGA of America; and Dilip Thomas, Council Member of the Indian Golf Union.

LPGA's Jane Geddes named Chairman of IGF Board

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