Most powerful people in golf revealed by Golf Inc. magazine

Golf Inc. magazine has published its annual column ranking “The Most Powerful People In Golf,” and there are some interesting results.

Not to be confused with the most popular people in golf, this is a yearly list which ranks the individuals who have made the biggest impact on the game financially. For instance, Donald Trump has placed highly in the list at No.2, while a less familiar name in Eric Affeldt tops the list, making him even more powerful than The Apprentice USA star.

Eric Affeldt is the CEO of ClubCorp, which went public a year ago and acquired 54 courses through its $265 million purchase of Sequoia Golf. According to Golf Inc., he's the only person in golf more powerful than Donald Trump.

The list continues like this, with some names being immediately recognisable, and others requiring a quick internet search to find out who they are. Jack Nicklaus places highly at No.4, as does Tim Finchem in 5th. However, there’s definitely a few names that only golf industry insiders would know; No. 3 Dana Garmany, CEO of Troon Golf; No. 6 Peter Hill, CEO and Chairman of Billy Casper Golf.

In addition to Finchem, other key people in golf’s governing bodies are also on the list: the USGA's Mike Davis (seventh), the R&A's Peter Dawson (13th), outgoing PGA of America president Ted Bishop (22nd) and European Tour CEO George O'Grady (23rd).

Only one person representing golf through media made the list (Golf Channel president Mike McCarley is 16th), one architect (Olympic course designer Gil Hanse, 20th), and just two active players: Rory McIlroy is 19th and Tiger Woods, who was 17th a year ago, has dropped to 29th.