The U.S. Golf Association's executive director David Fay announced Friday to retire from the post he has kept for two decades.

Fay, who celebrated his 60th birthday two months ago, is famed through driving the US Open to public courses and bringing golf back to the Olympics.

He became the association's sixth executive director in 1989 and held the post under 12 presidents.

"Things are in good order," Fay said in a statement released by the USGA. "Our senior staff leaders, each of whom I have put into place, are highly talented and motivated."

Mike Butz, the deputy executive director since 1995, will take over on January 1 pending a search to find a replacement for Fay.