New LPGA Commish Bringing Hope?
by ChicagoDuffer on Oct 28, 2009 1:18 PM EDT
12 comments
Earlier this week the LPGA introduced Michael Whan as the organization's newest commissioner, succeeding Carolyn Bivens and becoming the newest individual associated with LPGA in the hot seat.
A former Taylor Made Golf and Wilson Sports professional, Whan faces the task of fixing a mess that includes lost sponsors, racial issues geared towards the LPGA's accepted language, and a slumping fan base. While his predecessor had a strong business mind and sales mentality, Whan brings more experience in the actual business of golf... and is more of a fan than Bivens ever was.
According to the AP, Whan stated:
"I was that crazy high school kid cutting greens at 5:30 in the morning so he could play free golf in the afternoon and caddying on Sundays," Whan said Wednesday, during an introductory news conference at Madison Square Garden.
Despite his obvious fanfare of the sport, Whan does face a rather daunting task of regaining the support of the nation's sponsorship that saw LPGA event numbers drop from 34 to 28 during Bivens' reign. While many will blame the downturn of the American economy for this drop, Dawn Hudson, the chair of the LPGA board of directors, hopes that a new face as commissioner will promote a positive turn-around.
"At this particular time, with the struggles that all sports have had and some of the controversy of the past year, we really need a commissioner who can hit the ground running," she told The Associated Press (Chron.com, 2009).
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Is there something in the water up there in Chicago ? (ducking) :-) Oh wait – the hope of this could truly be a teachable moment. (lol)
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Oct 28, 2009 5:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nothing in the water, I’m just wasted.
Adam Fonseca
by ChicagoDuffer on Oct 28, 2009 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
To be successful, he needs to clean
house. He is setting himself up for failure by allowing any current employees to remain. Also, he needs to set up a “Policy Board” like the PGA where the players cannot outvote anything. They are golfers, not business people, what do they (or me) know about growing the LPGA? Nada. Zilch. Even if the players vote on the board members, you cannot have a letter signed by the players get rid of the CEO of a business.
...from the land of pleasant living, Baltimore.
by One-Eyed Golfer Guy on Oct 30, 2009 10:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The players’ letter to get rid of Bivens wasn’t law – it was their request, but you have to believe that a letter from a sizable number of your top players holds a lot of sway regardless of it being “law” or not.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Oct 30, 2009 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Big Ears ... Small Mouth
If Whan is serious, he should get a copy of the letter and set up a meeting with only those players who signed the infamous letter. He would get the best perspective of what the players want and expect from that group. Bivens had alienated the sponsers and the tournament owners and was a public relations nightmare. The players were right to call for her ouster. In total disagreement with One-Eyed Golfer Guy, the LPGA is one business where the players should have the ability to get rid of the CEO, because they are the major stakeholders.
by tatkins on Oct 30, 2009 4:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I really was not aware of a difference between
the PGA and the LPGA, “because they (LPGA) are the majority stakeholders”? Have any of these women invested their own money? What is the difference?
My only point was the LPGA can literally demand getting rid of this new guy the first time he makes a single mistake. Regardless of how big or small. A balanced policy board would prevent snap judgment management decisions. There are other stakeholders – apparel mfg,, equipment mfg., et al.
...from the land of pleasant living, Baltimore.
by One-Eyed Golfer Guy on Oct 31, 2009 1:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Money talks
Unless the LPGA has a significant source of money from some unknown source. The majority of the money taken in and paid out by the LPGA is the tournament prize money. The prize money goes to the players. Apparel mfg.,equipment mfg., et al do not directly recieve money from the LPGA.
by tatkins on Oct 31, 2009 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dawn Hudson thinks the new commish should 'hit the ground running', but
the new commish isn’t starting until January and then he’s going to spend several months listening carefully to players—who ousted his predecessor—and sponsors". Did the two parties talk before he was hired? I give him until February.
...from the land of pleasant living, Baltimore.
by One-Eyed Golfer Guy on Oct 31, 2009 4:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
So Dawn Hudson is Whan’s boss ? Who knew ?
The LPGA hired a guy who admits he knows nothing of the organization – so apparently he has qualifications the search committee (a headhunting company out of New York City) thinks will be beneficial to the LPGA.
Aside from the typical marketer type of answers that he gave at the press conference – he said a few good things – like that he will be spending time listening to players and sponsors.
It is interesting that he doesn’t start until January 1, so will he be on vacation until then ? Will he be doing “volunteer” work, so to speak, getting to know key people with the tour and some of the players ?
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Oct 31, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dawn Hudson is only the Chairwoman of the
LPGA Board of Directors. Michelle Ellis, president of the LPGA’s player board, said, “I think he’s going to find he doesn’t have just one wife, but about 200 wives”. That would motivate me. Yeah, right…
Court, I do not make this shit up…
...from the land of pleasant living, Baltimore.
by One-Eyed Golfer Guy on Oct 31, 2009 5:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You are correct sir ! Thanks for the reminder. Brain fart – sitting here watching UGA get their jocks handed to them by Florida.
Ain’t THAT the statement of the year ? 200 wives and daughters is something no man should have to deal with. (It would motivate me…to have a secret back door to the office installed) :-D
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Oct 31, 2009 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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