Callaway Golf tees up a new e-commerce executive

Callaway Golf Interactive has a new general manager to replace CEO David Schofman who has left the company.

Callaway’s e-commerce operation is now headed up by vice president and general manager Ira Williams. He joined Callaway, No. 221 in the Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide, in February with the understanding he would take over the e-commerce post when Schofman departed. Schofman left Sept. 1 and the company says he plans to pursue other entrepreneurial e-commerce ventures.

Prior to Callaway, Williams was a public relations executive with Dell Inc. and previously served in e-commerce and marketing positions at CBS SportsLine.com and Golfsmith International. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and a master’s degree from the Harvard Business School.

Williams is taking over at a time when Callaway is in the middle of a major e-commerce initiative. In November, Callaway Golf Co. launched an online store for direct-to-consumer sales of new golf equipment and apparel that will be fulfilled by retailers of the company’s products. Previously, Callaway sold only used Callaway products online through CallawayGolfPre-Owned.com.