Even the most modern of sports need a steady hand to keep things fair and flowing. Enter Derrick Stafford, the TGL on-course referee.

Known for his decades of experience in the world of professional sports officiating, Stafford plays a crucial role in maintaining both the pace and integrity of TGL matches. A veteran of high-pressure environments and primetime moments from his time at the NBA, he brings both authority and adaptability to the field of play.

Who is Derrick Stafford?

Stafford is no stranger to the bright lights of televised sports, with over 30 years of experience as a professional basketball referee in the NBA.

Stafford’s dedication on the court is what earned him the lead official role as well as being selected to referee the playoffs, Finals and NBA games held overseas. He spent decades officiating games featuring elite athletes from across the world.

From buzzer-beaters to playoff battles, he has been in the thick of moments that demand sharp judgment, calmness under pressure, and an unwavering commitment to the rules of competition.

Stafford was introduced to golf by his father, who thought Derrick’s powerful baseball swing would translate well to the fairway. What started as a casual hobby quickly turned into a passion, as Stafford fell in love with the sport and became hooked on the challenge of refining his game. His journey into golf officiating began when he was invited to ride along with a rules official of a junior golf tournament — an experience he thoroughly enjoyed.

So when the opportunity to join TGL came along, Stafford was intrigued.

After visiting the league’s testing facility and meeting with Scott Armstrong, TGL’s Vice President of Golf Competition, along with league co-founder Mike McCarley, he was on board.

“I loved the concept. I loved the idea of pushing the game forward,” Stafford said.

Serving as the referee for TGL’s inaugural season, Stafford said: “This was an opportunity for me to do something special.”

RELATED: TGL Rules Explained

What Does the TGL Referee Do?

The TGL referee is in the middle of the action at SoFi Center. You'll see him as part of the broadcast and with a faster pace of play and 40-second shot clock, the referee maintains tempo and shot clock enforcement throughout the match.

Key responsibilities of the TGL referee include:

• Rule enforcement: Whether it's a question of player conduct or a ball placement issue, Stafford ensures that the rules of golf — and TGL’s unique tweaks — are consistently applied.
• Timeout acknowledgment: Each team has the ability to call timeouts during a match, up to two per session. Stafford is responsible for recognizing and signaling these moments clearly to both teams and fans.
• Hammer acknowledgment: The “Hammer” is one of TGL’s signature strategic elements, allowing a team to increase the value of a hole by 1 point. When the Hammer is thrown, it’s Stafford who officially acknowledges it and asks whether it will be accepted or declined.
• Shot clock violations: With a 40-second shot clock per shot, TGL keeps things moving. Stafford monitors the pace on the field, calling out violations when players fail to beat the clock.

RELATED: TGL Hammer Explained

But Stafford doesn’t operate alone. He works in tandem with Mark Russell, the booth official. Russell is a name well-known in traditional golf circles. As a long-serving PGA TOUR rules official with decades of experience, Russell brings deep knowledge of golf’s rules and etiquette. In his role as booth official, he is responsible for starting and stopping the shot clock, overseeing video replays, and making final rulings on any disputes.

Derrick Stafford & Mark Russell after a match at SoFi Center.

“Mark is a terrific guy. He knows the game inside and out, even sharing with me the history behind some of golf’s oldest rules,” said Stafford. “I was very comfortable asking him any questions and was happy to have him on the other side of the headset.”

While Stafford is the eyes and ears on the ground and the person responsible for communicating with the players, Russell has the final say, ensuring that every call — from the simplest rule clarification to the most contentious moments — is backed up.

Together, they form a checks-and-balances system that combines immediacy with integrity, keeping TGL’s on-course action fair, fun, and fast.

LEARN MORE: Official Rules of TGL

Guiding the Game Forward

The Referee is presented by Businessolver- a Founding Partner of TGL presented by SoFi that believes innovation is powered by people. This partnership connects perfectly to an element of the competition that is made great by someone like Derrick.

“What makes this partnership between TGL presented by SoFi and Businessolver work so well is that we both invest in people and in creating a clarity of purpose to form a better product,” said TGL Chief Revenue Officer Jason Langwell. “Having Businessolver connected to someone — our referee — who is such a big part of our competition creates the perfect platform for them within TGL.”

“Season 1 was incredible — the fans, the players, the owners, the atmosphere — just so many amazing people,” Stafford said. “I’m excited to see how well the teams play and how competitive they’ll be heading into Season 2.”