MOVERS&SHAKEUPS By AZ GOLF Insider Staff


Charles Schwab Cup names Nelson as executive director


Champions Tour post comes with lots of changes


industry and then suddenly come up big with your “dream job.” “It’s kind of a wacky story,” the


P


effervescent Nelson said, laughing. It began when Nelson, who had


worked for 10 years as the marketing guru for the TPC Scottsdale, was hired late last year to be tournament director of the Powershares QQQ Championship in Los Angeles at prestigious Sherwood Country Club. That was a big jump — but not the big jump — as the event is part of the new Charles Schwab Cup playoffs. But before Nelson could even get settled into her new office in LA, fate came knocking again, and she was named executive director of the even more prestigious Charles Schwab Cup Championship in Scottsdale at Desert Mountain. Nelson replaced Gerald Goodman who moved to Mexico City to oversee next year’s WGC-Cadillac Championship. “It was definitely a surprise, as I


had sold my house in Scottsdale in January after working my last Waste Management Phoenix Open and was ready for a new adventure,” Nelson recalled. “I had just spent 90 days in Florida at PGA Tour headquarters training for the new position, I get to Los Angeles — I was only there 13 days — and the Tour called and offered me the position with the Charles Schwab Cup Championship. I was thrilled. “When I finally got back to


Scottsdale, it was like an ‘aha’ moment. I guess this is where I’m supposed to be and I could not be happier.” Good for Nelson and good for the


PGA Tour in placing a woman, a very competent one at that, in such a position


34 | AZ GOLF Insider | FALL 2016


lease pardon Tiffany Nelson if she’s still pinching herself. Hey, that happens when you toil for years in the golf


Cup will feature a two-day pro-am on Wednesday and Thursday of tournament week while the tournament itself will be reduced from 72 holes (four days) to 54 holes (three days) and the field expanded from 30 to 36 players. But the biggest change, at least


to AZ GOLF Insider, is that Nelson is now “da woman” in charge of the Charles Schwab Cup. “Ten years ago, when I got the


Tiffany Nelson


of authority. It certainly doesn’t happen that often in professional golf, an industry dominated by men. No doubt it’s a lot on Tiffany’s plate, too, because not only does she have the revamped Charles Schwab Cup coming up Nov. 9-13 at Desert Mountain, she’ll also have to oversee the transition of the tournament next year to Phoenix Country Club. “Phoenix Country Club had wanted


the Charles Schwab Cup since 2014, the year I actually helped work on it while I was at the TPC Scottsdale,” Nelson said. “Desert Mountain has had it for the last three years, and that’s always challenging for a private membership. However, I would not be surprised if it returns to Desert Mountain in the future.” The event itself has


undergone change, as the Champions Tour this year is rolling out a first-ever three-tournament playoff that culminates at Desert Mountain. Nelson said the week in Scottsdale also is slightly different, as the Charles Schwab


job at the TPC, that was incredible,” said Nelson, 43, who grew up near Chicago and played college golf at Purdue. “But to be the executive director of the Charles Schwab Cup? “This is my baby now, and it’s on a


whole different level. It’s my dream job.” People are noticing. Nelson, who


helped do the media day at the WMPO for almost a decade, recently did her first media day for the Charles Schwab Cup. “Afterwards, (Desert Mountain


COO/general manager) Bob Jones walked up to me and said that it was the best media day they’d ever had,” Nelson said. “That meant a lot. “Hey, I’ve dealt with the craziest


tournament in golf, and now I’m in charge of one of the best tournaments in golf, where you can get up close with the pros and still have a lot of fun. It’s different. I still have to answer to Tour headquarters, but I‘m lovin’ it.”


Stacy Pickavance


MOVERS Replacing Nelson at the TPC Scottsdale is Stacy Pickavance, who will be responsible for revenue management, new business development, public relations and marketing initiatives. The new marketing manager brings more than 16 years’ experience in golf and sports management while


working 25 years in the hospitality www.azgolf.org


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