The LPGA Commissioner Carolyn Bivens will not complete her remaining 18 month term of her 3 year extension contract. The LPGA Tour has elected to release the Commissioner of her role while the Board of Directors plans to immediately identify an interim replacement and begin an extensive search for a new leader. The leadership of Bivens has been in question for the past few years with the loss of 7 tour events since 2007. To date there are only 10 confirmed LPGA tournaments for 2010… a huge shortfall from the 30 events scheduled in 2009.
Key LPGA players, including Paula Cremer, Natilie Gublis, Michelle Wie, and Cristie Kerr, have been concerned about the direction the Commissioner has been taking the Tour over the years and reportedly authored a letter to the Board of Directors requesting Bivens’ resignation indicating the decline of the Tour cannot be attributed to the weakening economy but to that of controversal leadership.
Can the Board of Directors find the right person to rescue the LPGA Tour? How will the US Women’s Open fair this weekend? How will Bivens’ ousting impact the upcoming Solheim Cup at Rich Harvest Farm in Sugar Grove, IL?
Post by Marilyn Harris
