Carolyn Bivens

Two golf magazines have reported that Michael Whan has been selected new LPGA Tour commissioner and will be introduced Wednesday morning in New York. Golfweek magazine obtained a memo from acting commissioner Marty Evans informing players that Whan has "extensive brand management and marketing experience, including two stints in the golf industry with TaylorMade and Wilson." Golf Digest also reported on its Web site that Whan, most recently president and CEO of Mission Itech Hockey, was offered the job on Friday and accepted it Monday. He will replace Carolyn Bivens, who was ousted by the players this summer. The LPGA Tour said only that ... Read Full Story

Michael Whan, a former marketing executive of golf and ice hockey equipment, was announced Wednesday as the new commissioner of the LPGA Tour and will replace the ousted Carolyn Bivens in January. Marty Evans, the LPGA acting commissioner, will stay in the job until the end of the year, the tour announced at a news conference to unveil Whan, whose key task will be mending relations with sponsors at a time of major pullouts. Whan, a former golf company executive at Wilson and TaylorMade, was president of Mission-Itech Hockey. "We established very strict criteria for the position of commissioner and Mike impressed us not ... Read Full Story

MIAMI (Reuters) - Michael Whan was appointed commissioner of the LPGA Tour on Wednesday. "We established very strict criteria for the position of commissioner and Mike impressed us not only with his background and intellect but also his passion for golf," the LPGA said in a statement. Whan, 44, who has a professional background in golf, will take up the role in January after a transition period working with acting commissioner Marty Evans. He replaces Carolyn Bivens who resigned in July after several LPGA players voiced concerns about the health of the tour in the face of the economic downturn. (Reporting by Neil Maidment ... Read Full Story

Updated: November 16, 2009, 15:35 NEWARK, N.J.(AP) The ShopRite LPGA Classic is back in business. Tournament organizers, ShopRite and the LPGA announced Monday that the longtime Atlantic City-area fixture will return to the women's schedule in June after a three-year absence. The $1.5 million event will be held June 14-20 at the Seaview Resort in Galloway Township outside Atlantic City, coinciding with the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. Tournament executive director Tim Erensen said the parties signed a series of five one-year contracts that include opt-outs for all signees after each year. The return is good news for the LPGA, which has lost at ... Read Full Story

The LPGA Tour has scheduled a news conference for Monday afternoon following a weekend of uncertainty about who will lead the organization. Commissioner Carolyn Bivens appears on the way out after some players wrote a letter to the LPGA Tour's board of directors calling for her resignation. Tour veteran and board member Juli Inkster said Sunday the board would look for an interim replacement while searching for a new commissioner. The New York Times has reported that Bivens will leave. Golf Digest previously reported that Bivens would be replaced. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story ... Read Full Story