On Monday came word that 15 LPGA Tour players -- at the time, anonymous -- signed a letter calling for the resignation of commissioner Carolyn Bivens. Golf Digest's Ron Sirak writes that four of the signatures belonged to some of the biggest names in women's golf: Lorena Ochoa, Paula Creamer, Cristie Kerr and Morgan Pressel. Ochoa is currently the No. 1 ranked player, Creamer is 4th, Kerr is 5th, and Pressel is 24th. It's one thing for the rank and file to be frustrated by perceived managerial incompetence, it's something else entirely when it's the Tour's best players -- and its biggest attractions. (And, yes, the irony of what it means to be an LPGA attraction isn't lost on me. Or Ochoa et al, for that matter.)
Bivens drew criticism last year after suggesting there should be a Tour language requirement, presumably in a lame effort to make women's golf more accessible to the much-coveted close-minded, English-only demographic. That didn't last. And then, in May, Bivens said she would welcome the use of Twitter during tournament rounds before later stating that her comments were taken out of context. (Because, as I wrote last week, it's really easy to misconstrue: "I'd love it if players Twittered during the middle of a round.")
It's not the social media insanity that have Tour players concerned, however. It's the viability of the sport under Bivens' leadership (as it were):
Concerned about canceled events in 2009 and a dwindling 2010 schedule, the players met over dinner at the Owens Corning Classic. At issue are added costs imposed on tournaments by Bivens' Vision 2010 business plan that have caused several sponsors to pull support from the tour.Some more than others it seems.
"This week we are focused on the U.S. Open and it's not an appropriate time to discuss internal LPGA matters," said David Higdon, the tour's chief of communications. "We all care deeply about the tour and are working hard for it's long-term success."
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
re: Lorena Ochoa ..... she is an illegal coming over here telling us how to run our country and our businesses ..... go back to Mexico if you don't like it here
people like you should keep their mouth shut! Lorena an the rest of the LPGA should have a input on their job, An if the people who are running it arn't doing it right they need to be replaced.
She is NOT ILLEGAL, you IDIOT !!!! She is not here as an illegal, nor is any other player from a different country! Like, Petterson or Davies!! You are just plain stupid!!!!!!
want something to boost ratings for LPGA golf make a man commish
The players have a strong point here. They are losing sponsors and thus there will be less tournaments, and it is only the begining. The LPGA needs and wants someone that connects with the players and works "with them" to make the tour a success. How about Nancy Lopez as new commissioner?
I agree, the players do have some very good points. The LPGA is a business and Bivens is distroying the business. Bevins has hurt the tour and already cost the tour sponsers and tourneys. When tournaments and sponsers of many years are going away, than there is a real problem. I like the Lopez idea as well, she has a good business mind, loves the game and would have great respect from players and fans a like.
I posted on this "rumor" 24 hrs. ago, but now that the story has been confirmed ... AGAIN, please add my support to the players move.
Ms. Bivens just doesn't GET IT. At a time when LPGA players look better (hey, that's part of it), are more accessible, more talented, and working harder to make their sport universally followed ... the rug is being pulled out from under them. Sure, the economic situation is not helping ... but the probable loss of Corning and the Jamie Farr (two of the longest and best LPGA stops)? WHERE IS THE PR from this LADY?
Has she NO creativity or negotiating skills? This downward spiral makes no sense, what with the "product" so much on the rise -- one step forward, yet two steps back.
I like the name of Nancy Lopez being put out there. My suggestion yesterday was to check to see if Mr. Peter Ueberroth is busy these days. Get someone in there who is a PEOPLE PERSON, not just an ACCOUNTANT.
These players are the ones that "don't get it." The economy has tanked, and with it much extraneous corporate spending, such as sponsoring golf tournaments. Let them get rid of Bivens, and I'll bet LPGA finances under her successor will continue going down. It will be just like the people who voted for Obama and wanted "change." Sometimes you have to watch what you wish for. I also find it interesting that the players signing the letter are very young, and don't have much life experience to bank on in doing so.
This is not about the life inexperience of the young players, this is about a commish who has come under fire for a lot of policies!!!! This woman only has her interest in mind, not the players or the LPGA as a whole!! She has no business mind and has lost sponsers who have been with the tour for many years.It is not because of economy, it's because of a woman who wants to add even more burden on sponsers in these hard economical times. She has no business mind or people mind. She should be GONE!!!!!
The reason I stopped watching LPGA is because every week must be at least 10 Kims and another 15 korean girls on top. Who wants to watch girls that can't even speak english, don't care to learn, wear long pants and just want the money. The LPGA is dead! just throw some dirt on it and close the doors.
This article does a very poor job in outlining the issues.
A real journalist would investigate the three biggest issues and report both sides... poor effort by a normally good writer.
women's golf, and the wnba need to realize that they're not the major leagues, in fact they're lucky if they're a-ball minors..
furrsher=idiot obamaisamarxist=idiot robert=idiot I guess you can see a trend going on here. keep up the good work idiots
As a man I enjoy Womens golf. I wish I could play as well as these professionals. Perhaps it is time for a change in leadership to hopefully boost the ratings and keep the tournaments going. All of my golfing friends watch and believe that it would be a great sport for youngsters to become involved with. My complaint about both the PGA and the LPGA is that I try to learn from the way the clubs are held, where the ball is placed in their stance,etc. but the camera angles make it impossible. Straight on views would help.
We went to the LPGA to see some top rate golf but also to see people whe we watch on TV in person. There were many many names we had never heard of! Where did they come from. Where were Michele and Natalie. Very boring. We'll never go back. They better do something fast before the whole system crashes.
Lets make some suggestions to help and I will start with why don't the tour pay the americans a bonus sum of money for winning or placing in the top ten? Get the USA players a little more incentive.
It seems many weeks the leaderboard is dominated by names of Asian players that are not well known, hence an inability to get behind the game. Maybe this is an indirect reason why corporate sponsership is drying up. At the same time, these players don't seem to reach out to the fan base, if no other reason than the language barrier.
Rumors were swirling around the Open on Sunday - players talking, caddies talking but no press on this yet -
Apparently at least two of the players that signed the letter to get rid of Bevins have major conflicts of interest with their own business interests.
Kerr is sponsored by Liberty National and Fireman Capital Partners - both owned by Paul Fireman. Word is that they hired Cristie's husband Erik as a 'consultant' in an attempt to be awarded the 2013 Solheim Cup. Don't tell me that Cristie Kerr is trying to put undue influence on the decision makers for her and her husband's own gain?? Cristie, news flash - your fellow players don't like you.
And innocent little Morgan Pressel - fellow players are pissed at Morgan - she was individually sponsored by Stanford Financial who also sponsored a tournament and they went BK. Then she got individually sponsored by Kapalua Land Company who also sponsored a tournament. They just pulled out of their sponsorship with a couple years or so left on their contract I guess? They are paying Morgan her sponsorship fee and refuse to pay the LPGA??
Hey Morgan, give back the money!