Hazeltine National Golf Club, host of the 2016 Ryder Cup, has announced the six new members of the Executive Committee and two newly appointed Executive Vice Chairmen of Sales. These members join Patrick Hunt, CEO of Minneapolis ad agency Hunt Adkins, who was appointed Chairman of the 2016 Ryder Cup by Hazeltine’s board of governors in August 2012.

Executive team is built for world-class experience

The eight members joining Hunt include Dan Johnson, Jim Dauwalter, Bob Fafinski, Tim Rainey, Dave Ruegg, Ryan Steensland, Tony Daffer and Marty Nanne.

“The Ryder Cup Matches will be the most significant international sporting event ever held in Minnesota and we have a strong and proven committee dedicated to its success,” says Hunt. “I look forward to working with Hazeltine and the committee to host a world-class event with broad international recognition that is also an exceptional experience for all participants and spectators.”

The Ryder Cup is held in the United States once every four years, making it an historic occurrence and notable honor for Hazeltine National Golf Club and the state of Minnesota. The honored members of the committee each bring a unique background of professional and golf-related experience.

• Dan Johnson, COO of Mortenson Construction, will serve as General Vice Chair with liaison responsibilities over merchandise, administration, and finance. Dan currently serves on the Hazeltine Board of Governors as Vice President on the Executive Committee. He also served on the Executive Committee of the 2009 PGA Championship.

• Jim Dauwalter, retired CEO of Integris, will serve on the Executive Committee with liaison responsibilities for security, parking, emergency, and community relations (SPEC) and government relations-- two areas he has handled since the 2002 PGA Championship. Jim also served as the General Chair of the 2009 PGA Championship.

• Bob Fafinski, partner in the law firm of Fafinski, Mark and Johnson, will serve on the Executive Committee with responsibility for spectator services, scoring, and legal areas.

• Tim Rainey, retired head of operations for Northwest Airlines, will serve on the Executive Committee with responsibility for contestant services and golf course. Tim has been a member of the Hazeltine Board since 2000 and president for the last seven and a half years. Tim also served as Marshal volunteer for the 1991 US Open and Executive Vice Chair-Operations for the 2002 and 2009 PGA Championships.

• Dave Ruegg, Vice President at Bailiwick, will serve on the Executive Committee as Project Manager. Dave also maintained this position during the 2009 PGA Championship. Dave has volunteered as a 2002 PGA Championship Area Captain, US Amateur Scoring Chair in 1999, and has served on the Hazeltine Board since 2008.

• Ryan Steensland, Principal Partner at Envoii, LLC, will head up the Corporate Hospitality Sales effort for the Ryder Cup. Ryan has served on the Hazeltine Board of Governors since 2005.

• Tony Daffer and Marty Nanne have both joined as Executive Vice Chairmen of Sales for the 2016 Ryder Cup.

Hazeltine National Golf Club is a private golf club located in Chaska, Minn., about 30 minutes southwest of downtown Minneapolis. The club opened in 1962 with a mission to build and maintain a golf course suitable for the conduct of national championships. Hazeltine is one of only two courses in the United States to have hosted the U.S. Open, PGA Championship, U.S. Senior Open, U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Amateur, and Ryder Cup. Hazeltine’s meeting and event space, golf shop and specified services in the learning center are open to the public. More information about becoming a member at Hazeltine is available at www.hazeltinenational.com.