It's not as if Michael Whan does not know what he's getting into.Before being introduced Wednesday as the new LPGA commissioner, Whan, 44, served as North American vice-president/general manager of TaylorMade Golf. According to the LPGA's announcement, his business unit represented more than 70 percent of the company's worldwide sales and profit.
And prior to working at TaylorMade Whan spent time with Wilson Sporting Goods managing all aspects of the company's golf ball and glove business. He even brings experience heading Wilson's marketing department, two manufacturing facilities and the Research & Development division.
So what's a smart guy like Whan doing getting himself into a mess like this?
"At this stage of my career, or maybe I'd even say this stage of my life, I really look to three things when I think about the future, and that's people, that's opportunity, and that's passion," Whan said.
"I've never been one that looks at words like issues or challenges or problems as bad words. What they represent is tremendous upside potential. I can't wait to get started."
Whan's official first day is Jan. 4, but give him credit for already working damage control. One day after being introduced in New York, he was in San Diego to make an appearance at a scheduled Tournament Owners Association meeting.
The TOA basically is the go-between for the tour and tournament sponsors. As its title says the TOA is the meat and potatoes of the schedule. Members are local groups that find a golf course, recruit a title sponsor, gather volunteers and host the players. TOA also happens to be the group that former commissioner Carolyn Bivens financially browbeat until it could hardly take it any more.
After having 34 events on this season's schedule, next year's yet-to-be-released slate is expected to have fewer than 25 -- possibly fewer than 20.
Sure, the economy stinks, but the drop is very much the result of Bivens' heavy-handed management driving support away.
Whan's introduction suggests a more cooperative approach.
"With regard to the leadership and the job, I have a personal philosophy about leadership that maybe not everybody understands, so I'll just say it this simply," Whan said. "I believe in listen, learn and lead, and you do it in that order. You've got to listen so that you can learn, and once you've listened and learned, you're prepared to lead. So I tend to believe that my first few months in the position is going to be with pretty large ears and pretty small mouth because I've got more to learn than I've got to offer and beyond, but I can't wait to jump in."
Nancy Scranton, a 24-year LPGA veteran whose career now spans seven commissioners, welcomed Whan's message.
"I think we need to secure the tournaments that we do have," Scranton said. "Obviously, in my opinion, we need to get some more events because there are not enough full-field events. If you are a rookie, it's not even a fulltime job any more.
"I think he's off to a good start."
Things will not get any easier.
Also demanding Whan's immediate attention will be the direction he should steer. With its best players foreign -- primarily South Korean -- and few Americans generating even the slightest amount of buzz, does the LPGA commit to growing internationally at the price of losing more ground at home?
"It's more of a world game now than it was when I started," Scranton said. "Everything was here. All the best players were hear with some sprinkled in from other countries. Now it's different.
"We need to figure out if we are a world tour or an American tour. It's not going to be easy."
Whan was warned.
