New USGA President, Boys and Girls

His name is Jim Vernon ...and I know nothing about him. Before we get to know him, here's the USGA announcement:

James F. Vernon of Pasadena, Calif., has been nominated to serve a one-year term as president of the USGA by the Nominating Committee of the United States Golf Association. The election of officers and the full 15-member USGA Executive Committee will take place Feb. 9, 2008, at the USGA’s Annual Meeting in Houston, Texas.

A little bit of bio about Jim:

As a past president of the board of directors of both the Southern California Golf Association and the California Golf Association, Jim Vernon will bring valuable experience to the USGA presidency.

He will begin his sixth year as a member of the Executive Committee, a term that has included two years as vice president of the USGA and four years as chairman of the Equipment Standards Committee.

Vernon is a past president of the board of directors of both the Southern California Golf Association and the California Golf Association. He currently serves on the board of directors of the SCGA Foundation. He started his volunteer work with the USGA as a member of the USGA Sectional Affairs Committee in 1998. He is a member of Lakeside Golf Club in Los Angeles and the Monterey Peninsula Country Club in Pebble Beach, Calif.

And, just in case you're wondering, he is a rich guy:

Vernon is the owner of Frank Vernon Diamond Brokers and Wholesale Jewelers, a family business that was started under his father’s name more than 50 years ago. The business has its offices in Los Angeles.

And it says he is a mechanical engineer by training.

Now the bigger questions.

1. How does Vernon see the role of the USGA? In a Driver-esque (or is it Driverian) fashion, or in the classic fashion? I think this release quote gives us a clue that it is the latter.

I look forward to working closely with executive director David Fay and his talented staff to make sure that we continue to conduct the very best championships in golf and to fulfill our responsibilities to establish equipment rules that are based on informed science and facts.

2. How does Vernon see the equipment controversy? That same quote also may give us an idea of how he feels about equipment regulation. He wants better scientific analysis done regarding technology's impact on the game. Vernon is probably awaiting furthering reporting from Dick Rugge and his research group, especially considering that Vernon was chairman of the Equipment Standards Committee. This may provide some explanation why the new rules changes introduced by the USGA and R&A today include nothing about U-grooves - the much maligned subject of a proposed ban/rollback.

Of course, these are just guesses and inference. Like I said, I do not know Jim Vernon. Then again, I didn't know Walter Driver. I learned about him from how he carried himself publicly, was quoted in the press and blogs, and the infamous Golfworld story about him. That took time to unfold, though.

So, who does know Jim Vernon?

Geoff Shackelford kind of does, and he seems very pleased about the nod.

That's all I've seen so far in the press or blogdom. That's the list.