Jim Vernon is the new President of the USGA and the USGA website conducted an interview with him for this month that wasn't especially revealing, but made me like him even more than when he was first announced.

In the piece, he talks about the success of the 2008 year for the USGA, Open setups, Mike Davis, and the new grooves regulations.  I walked away impressed by the willingness he had to give credit to the people - led by Mike Davis - that helped the Open to be so well received.  He talked about the changing perception of each of the majors over time, including that of the US Open with the hallmark of it being Torrey Pines.  Also, he mentioned how careful they will have to be at Bethpage next year, which is a course that he described as more difficult than Torrey.  (He's really right.)

While I am very much on board with Vernon from a championship and regulation standpoint - even though I think the manufacturers will beat the regulation sooner than later - I still disagree with him vehemently about corporate partnerships.  That said, he gave the best explanation to date of why the USGA has pursued them.  Yes, they were softballs in a printed interview, but Vernon communicated the rationale in a way that wasn't insulting to the members and touched on the dependence that the USGA has on TV revenue to generate income.  I give him credit for that, but look out at RBS, they're in trouble.

So when can I get a Tour of the facilities?