The interim executive director of the former Honda Classic is part of a famous auto racing family
Joie Chitwood joined the PGA Tour in May when he was named executive director of the 2026 Presidents Cup. This week, those duties expanded, at least for the next four months.
On Thursday, Chitwood was named interim executive director of the former Honda Classic. Chitwood will oversee the event's transition from Honda to Cognizant as the title sponsor, and the PGA Tour's Championship Management division will take over control of the event.
Chitwood, 54, will move his base to Palm Beach County through the end of the 2024 tournament, scheduled for Feb. 29-March 3 at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens. His primary home is in Placida north of Fort Myers on Florida's west coast.
"For me, it's a chance to work with the team and continue to build on all the great things they do, but also anytime there's change think about things a little differently," said Chitwood, who also has a residence in Chicago. The 2026 Presidents Cup will be held at Medinah Country Club outside Chicago.
Chitwood said the PGA Tour soon will have some "really exciting announcements" concerning the tournament and he emphasized the event is "here for the long haul."
Cognizant will be announced as the new title sponsor in the coming weeks.
Cognizant close to signing deal as new title sponsor for former Honda Classic
"The goal right now is, make sure we put on the same quality event everyone expects," Chitwood said. "It's a great market, it's a great community, it's a great event. It's a phenomenal golf course. PGA National is outstanding.
"I look forward to be part of that kind of environment where you're functioning at high energy, high quality and put on an event everybody will continue to be proud of."
Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation will remain the tournament's primary charitable beneficiary, as it has been since 2007.
Chitwood replaces Andrew George, who left Honda after 15 years. including one year as executive director. George has joined TMRW Sports and TGL, the new golf league founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, as a senior vice president.
George replaced Ken Kennerly, who ran Honda from 2007 to 2022. The event will have a fourth executive director in four years when a permanent leader is named after the 2024 tournament.
Chitwood is part of the famous auto racing family. His grandfather, George Rice Chitwood, was an American race car driver and businessman. He is best known as a daredevil in the Joie Chitwood Thrill Show.
Chitwood’s career in the sports industry mostly has been in motorsports, working for the Indy Racing League, Chicagoland Speedway and Daytona International Speedway. In 2009, Chitwood became the executive vice president and chief operating officer of International Speedway Corp. (ISC) in Daytona Beach.
Prior to joining the PGA Tour, Chitwood spent two years as vice president of corporate development for Arnold Palmer Enterprises, which included his role as tournament director of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Chitwood will be back in the fast lane for the next four months.
"I'm going to be active and engaged," he said. "It will be a fast couple of months for me. But I will drink from the firehose."
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Joie Chitwood named interim executive director of former Honda Classic
