Keith Pelley fell in love with Ryder Cup 2018

Keith Pelley, the former CEO of the DP World Tour who stepped down from his position on April 2nd, recently reflected on the “culminating point” of his eight-and-a-half-year tenure in an interview with ScoreGolf.com. He highlighted the Ryder Cup 2018, held in France at Le Golf National, where Captain Thomas Bjørn led Europe to a resounding victory over the Americans with a score of 17.5 to 10.5.

Back home in Canada since the beginning of April and now CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Pelley shared with ScoreGolf.com that the “culminating point” of his tenure was undoubtedly the organization of the Ryder Cup 2018 in France at Le Golf National.

Keith Pelley, statements

“Experiencing this event from the inside was incredible in every aspect,” said the Toronto native. “The crowd, the spectacle, the emotions, the first tee on Friday at dawn… It was unforgettable for me. The 2018 edition in France was the pinnacle for me. The atmosphere there was extraordinary. I remember being in the locker room after the victory, seeing the players and their families. I looked at my son, Jason, who was laughing and joking with Tommy Fleetwood.”

“I looked at my wife, Joan, and I said to her, ‘This is why we do it!’ Only a unique opportunity would have prompted me to leave my position because, yes, I had almost nine magical years on the DP World Tour. Of course, there was the arrival of Covid in the midst of it all, and we also had the issues with the LIV that we know about, but I wouldn’t trade all those years for anything.”

Keith W. Pelley, born on January 11, 1964, is a prominent sports executive currently serving as the president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE). Prior to his role at MLSE, Pelley held various high-profile positions in the sports and media industries.

Pelley’s career includes serving as the president of the PGA European Tour, where he played a key role in shaping the direction and growth of professional golf in Europe. Before his tenure with the PGA European Tour, he served as the CEO of Rogers Media, overseeing the company’s diverse portfolio of media assets.

Additionally, Pelley has held positions as the team president of the Toronto Argonauts, a professional Canadian football team, and as the president of The Sports Network (TSN), a leading sports television network in Canada.

Throughout his career, Pelley has demonstrated strong leadership and strategic vision, contributing to the success and growth of various organizations in the sports and media sectors.