John C Storjohann has stepped down as Chairman of the Challenge and Satellite Tours Committee (CSTC) having overseen a sea change in the development of relationships between the amateur and professional golf associations of Europe in his seven years in the role.
The Swedish-born resident of Switzerland was formerly the General Secretary of the European Golf Association, a role in which he established, before taking chairmanship of, a committee which was formulated to bridge the gap between the various tiers of elite golf.
Storjohann, known to friends as Johnny, believes the committee has made huge strides since its establishment in 2008, and he leaves behind a solid structure between the grassroots of the game and the professional ranks which will help the sport in Europe thrive in the years to come.
“I used to be the general secretary of the EGA and the Swiss Golf Association and at that time we tried to improve relations between the federations in amateur golf and the professional organisations,” said Storjohann, who was a successful amateur golfer in his own right, winning the Swiss National Championship six times and participating in five World Amateur Team Championships and six European Team Championships.
“We used to have the Professional Technical Committee but then we discussed the possibility of a new committee and it was the Challenge Tour Satellite Tour Commission which came out of the discussions.
“Nowadays, federations are confronted by the professional golf more and more and that wasn’t the case years ago. With regard to the Challenge Tour, the tournaments are mainly supported by the federations so it was quite normal that we got into discussions with The European Tour and we developed stronger relationships.
“I would say that the biggest step that we have taken over the last eight years is a much closer collaboration between amateur golf and the professional organisations. It’s been a very good step.
“The federations put in a lot of money for the development of elite golf now, which was not always the case years ago. That is also a step forward and we hope to improve that in the coming years."
That bond between the various facets of the elite game will no doubt be reflected upon as one of Storjohann’s lasting legacies as he steps down with the Challenge Tour looking stronger and more stable than ever before, while its partners continue to provide the backbone of Europe’s top developmental tour.
“I am very happy that we’ve been able to establish such good relationships between the federations, the European Golf Association, The European Tour and the PGAs and that has been something which I think I have helped to do over the years,” he said.
“I think it’s even more important today. Economically, Europe has been in troubled times so everybody has to try and come together and build up something which is good for everyone.”
Alain de Soultrait, Director of the European Challenge Tour, said: “Johnny has played an integral part in the growth of the Challenge Tour and its increasingly strong partnerships with the various federations of Europe and, of course, the Satellite Tours.
“Promising young European golfers have been provided with a platform to grow and develop as players which is more successful than ever and that will be one of the great legacies John leaves behind as he steps down.
“His vision, dedication and most of all passion have been invaluable to the Challenge Tour, the satellite tours, the many federations of Europe and the game of golf in general and we thank him for all of his hard work down the years.”
