The Governing Board of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) has named Peter Dawson OBE as its new Chairman.

Dawson, the former Chief Executive of the R&A and current President of the International Golf Federation (IGF), succeeds Sir Michael Bonallack OBE following the announcement that he would be stepping down from the role he has held for the past 12 years.

Dawson said: "I am delighted to be following Sir Michael Bonallack as Chairman of the OWGR Board. The ranking provides an important measure of player performance and is a key determinant of qualification for professional golf events around the world. It will be a privilege to work with our dedicated staff whose consistent efforts produce updated rankings 52 weeks a year".

Bonallack held the position from 2004, when the proprietary interest and management of the ranking system was transferred from IMG to a new incorporated company, OWGR, owned by the PGA Tour, European Tour, Augusta National, R&A, USGA, PGA of America and the International Federation of PGA Tours.

In conjunction with the Governing Board, Bonallack has continuously monitored and refined the system over the past 12 years, in accordance with the ever-changing structure of world golf.

Bonallack Said " it is very rewarding to know that the Official World Golf Ranking is now fully accepted by all organisations involved in golf and that it has been able to adjust to the increasing number of tours that have developed over the last twelve years."

The Governing Board also announced that the Sunshine Tours’ Alfred Dunhill Championship is to acquire OWGR Flagship Tournament status in place of the BMW SA Open hosted by the City of Ekrhuleni, effective OWGR Week 49 (week ending December 4, 2016). The winner will receive a minimum of 32 first place points.

The Alfred Dunhill Championship returns to Leopard Creek Country Club, in Malelane, from December 1-4, 2016.