USGA's new president Kevin Hammer first South Florida native in that role

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Hammer was a top-ranked junior golfer, played for the University of Florida, and served as president of the Florida State Golf Association.

He supports the USGA's efforts to study and potentially limit how far golf balls travel to preserve the game's integrity.

Hammer works as a managing director at Merrill Lynch and believes his business background will be an asset in his new role.

BOYNTON BEACH — To pinpoint the time Kevin Hammer was introduced to golf is virtually impossible. That’s because it happened about the time Hammer was introduced to life more than a half-century ago.

“I was basically raised in the cart barn at Delray Dunes,” said Hammer, whose father, Laurie, was the club’s longtime head professional. “Whether it was hanging out in the cart barn, the cl