Jim Armstrong to retire as executive director of Augusta National; Will Jones will replace him

Augusta National Golf Club is undergoing some management changes.

Billy Payne, chairman of Augusta National and the Masters Tournament, announced today that executive director Jim Armstrong will retire later this year. He will be replaced by Will Jones, the club’s senior director of business affairs.

Armstrong, 66, came to the club in 1978 and began his role as executive director the following year. Armstrong has worked for all of the club’s chairmen except for the first, Clifford Roberts.

“Jim Armstrong has given Augusta National Golf Club more than three decades of exceptional vision, impressive leadership and outstanding service as our executive director,” Payne said in a prepared statement. “Jim has certainly earned and deserves his retirement. As a consequence of his longtime commitment, he is leaving a permanent and positive impression upon the legacy of Augusta National, its membership and the Masters. On behalf of our members and staff, I sincerely and genuinely thank Jim for his personal and professional dedication to Augusta National Golf Club.”

Armstrong will retire in September.

“My career at Augusta National Golf Club has been one of remarkable good fortune, and my affection for this wonderful place is immeasurable,” Armstrong said. “It is nearly impossible to put into words the privilege I have experienced in serving the club in this role, and I thank Mr. Payne, Mr. Hootie Johnson and all previous chairmen, the membership, my fellow employees and the countless other friends, associates and partners that made my career so rich and fulfilling.”

Jones, 46, has worked at Augusta National since 1993. Armstrong and Jones will work together through the summer, and Jones will continue to serve in his current role until Armstrong’s retirement.

“Jim’s commitment and dedication to this organization have established a standard of excellence that I know will endure under the future direction of Will Jones,” Payne said. “The successes we have enjoyed during Jim’s tenure have often been a direct result of his passion for what Augusta National and the Masters represent in the game of golf. Although he’ll be missed, Jim’s influence will be felt for many, many years to come.”