Joe McDonald has been named the new Director of Communications/Senior Writer for the Rhode Island Golf Association, a non-profit organization.

RIGA Executive Director Robert Ward said McDonald will start his new role March 1.

“We’re excited to add Joe to our staff,” Ward said. “His communication and journalism background will be a big asset to the RIGA and its members.”

McDonald, 49, of Cumberland, is a longtime sports writer who most recently worked for the Worcester Telegram & Gazette the last two years, covering the Worcester Red Sox, Boston Bruins and other local sports. He has covered Boston sports since 2001. Previously, he covered the Bruins, Red Sox and Patriots at the Providence Journal (2001-10) and ESPN Boston (2010-14). He was also a national hockey writer at ESPN (2014-17) and served as a senior writer for The Athletic (2018-20).

 A native of Cranston, McDonald started his journalism career at the Providence Journal in 1992 as a circulation counselor, before he was promoted to the sports department as an editorial assistant in 1995.

 “I’m thrilled to be joining the RIGA and look forward to continuing its long and storied tradition of promoting golf in the Ocean State,” McDonald said.

“I started my sports writing career by covering local golf at the Journal with the legendary Paul Kenyon. In fact, my first byline was a story about Foster Country Club in March 1996. “So, this opportunity to return to my roots and recreate the once prominent golf page at the Journal is a goal of mine,” added McDonald, who is a member at Kirkbrae Country Club.

 McDonald is a three-time recipient as the Rhode Island Sportswriter of the Year (2004, 2007, 2009) via the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association. He’s an avid golfer and has traveled and played several historical golf courses, including Pinehurst in North Carolina, Ballybunion Golf Club in Ireland, and St. Andrews in Scotland.

 The RIGA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization created in 1902 to promote and advance the game of golf in the State of Rhode Island through conducting golf tournaments and related activities, as well as to provide educational opportunities to the sport for men, women and youth. With a community of 14,000 golfers and 54 member clubs, the RIGA is the leader of the golf industry in the state. Members enjoy the benefits of handicapping, engaging golf content, course rating and scoring services along with the opportunity to compete in an array of events for golfers of all ages and abilities.

 The RIGA is directly involved in the Burke Fund, Button Hole and the overseer of the Rhode Island Golf Hall of Fame.