PGA of America Removes President After Ryder Cup Comments

Don Rea Jr. is no longer president of the PGA of America, effective immediately, the organization announced Friday. The board of directors first suspended Rea for the remainder of his two-year term, which ends in November, then announced a leadership transition.

PGA of America vice president Nathan Charnes has been named acting president. Rea drew criticism after comparing fan comments directed at Rory McIlroy and the European Ryder Cup team at Bethpage Black in September to language heard at youth soccer games.

A week later he sent an email apology to more than 30,000 PGA professionals, stating that some behavior had crossed the line and that his own comments had not represented the organization well.

PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague had already apologized to McIlroy and his wife, Erica, before Rea's email. Rea also faced criticism for a trophy presentation in which he said Europe had retained the Ryder Cup rather than won it. " The Associated Press contributed to this report.