"Until such time as the composition of the the LPGA Board changes, they'll keep hiring Marketing people ala the 'Brand Lady.'"

/

Jim McCabe writes about the strong marketing background of new LPGA Commissioner Whan:

“These are difficult times, but he will bring a lot of skills to the job,” Rugge said. “He is a solid marketing guy,” adding that Whan is "full of energy” and "has plenty of ideas.”

Read More

WHEW! New LPGA Commish Unleashes All Of The Essential Business Jargon In First Press Release!

/

I was worried we might get some straight shooter but judging by his first press release quote, new LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan is going to pick up right where the Brand Lady left off, at least in the B-speak department. More on that momentarily.

Ron Sirak's story about the Oct. 28 announcement appeared first and he calls the naming a "bit of a surprise." Golfweek was first to post on Twitter, linking Beth Ann Baldry's story noting Whan's bio.

Read More

Pete, Sure You Want The Job? "I don't know of any other year when so many LPGA members were seeking dual membership on the JLPGA."

/

The Constructivist at the MostlyHarmless blog notes some oddball issues with the LPGA of Japan's qualifying procedures and concludes that a tour war is breaking out, and the LPGA of America might be on the losing end.

But a few patterns emerge: the JLPGA is heavily recruiting American and European players (or at least players from the LPGA and LET), while forcing Korean golfers to go through 3 or 4 stages of qualifying. It appears that winning on the JLPGA as a non-member doesn't give you immediate membership any more, as it did for Ji-Yai Shin last season. And the Full Metal Archivist confirmed that you need a certain level of fluency in either Japanese or English to become a JLPGA member in 2010. She also found a 9 October article from Golf Digest Online that publicized a JLPGA press release identifying LPGA players exempt into the 3rd stage (Meena Lee, Young Kim, Teresa Lu, and Shanshan Feng) and into the final qualifying tournament (Na Yeon Choi, Candie Kung, Eun-Hee Ji, Seon Hwa Lee, Inbee Park, and Amy Yang). Barring absolute meltdowns, then, these players, along with Na Ri Kim and Onnarin Sattayabanphot (who should sail through the next 3 stages of Q-School) and any other LPGAers who have signed up for the 2nd stage the 1st week of November, will be JLPGA members in 2010. I don't know of any other year when so many LPGA members were seeking dual membership on the JLPGA.

Maybe pay isn't the only reason the LPGA Commish search candidates keep dropping out?

Cristie Kerr: "The guys are just used to shooting nothing at a golf course and that’s not how the Firemans and Liberty wanted it to play."

/
Stephanie Wei caught up with Kerr, who is a Liberty National member and not a fan of the criticism issued by players. I can't wait until she plays an LPGA event at Industry Hills here in So Cal (at least it's rumored to be hosting the new tournament in 2010).  It makes Liberty National look like the Old Course.
Read More

Orender: A Non-Denial Denial?

/

Ron Sirak shares this email statement from Donna Orender that does not sound like a full denial that she's out of the LPGA Commissionership running:

"I was flattered by the widespread support of the industry who strongly encouraged me to look at this opportunity and the prospect of working again with so many people who I respect and with whom there is a history of success," Orender told GolfDigest.com in an email. "The WNBA Is in the midst of it's most successful finals in the leagues history and to continue to work with the dedicated team who is passionately committed to it's future is a good fit for me."

Orender: "Basketball is what's in my future."

/
Donna Orender blabs on and on to Mechelle Voepel about the bright future of the WNBA, sending the no-so-subtle message that she's unwilling to take the LPGA Commissionership. Brand Lady 2 is not happening. My loss as a blogger, but the LPGA Tour's gain if Orender's buffet line manners were any indication of her potential for Commissionership buffonery.
Read More