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News Commentary Opinion
Tiger troubles taking away from LPGA
By ED TRAVIS, Editor FrontPageGolf
By ED TRAVIS, Editor FrontPageGolf
Tiger Woods’ troubles have been covered in the past
two weeks, ad nauseam, but there’s another story,
that of the LPGA and while it may not have the appeal
of auto accidents and sex in its own way it is
important.
The LPGA Tour’s five day tournament at LPGA
International in Daytona Beach, Fla. might have been
taking place on Mars or some place even less visited,
like New Jersey. At stake for the competitors were 20
full time tickets for the 2010 tour, though next year’s
edition of the circuit is drastically reduced in size, losing
10 events compared to just two years ago.
Some facts:
Michael Whan, the new commissioner, will have his
own way of doing things. Presumably his methods will
be different than those employed by former commish
Carolyn Bivens. During her tenure she managed to
alienate players, fans, media and sponsors…no mean
feat.
Many of the Tour’s problems can attributed to the
worldwide economic downturn.
From the view point of American golf fans, the Tour’s
fan base in spite of all the money coming from
sponsors in the Far East and Mexico, there are two
basic problems. Large numbers of LPGA players are
foreign-born thereby creating a hurdle for U.S. fans who
might want to relate to them since many have limited
English skills. Secondly, the foreign born pros are
playing better than the Americans. Case in point,
Christie Kerr won the Michelob ULTRA Open on May
10. Seventeen events later (Nov.15) Michelle Wie
managed her first tour victory. No other Americans won
in that stretch and with the exception of the Solheim
Cup (US 16 – Europe 12) for much of the ’09 season
American fans didn’t have hometown winners to cheer.
two weeks, ad nauseam, but there’s another story,
that of the LPGA and while it may not have the appeal
of auto accidents and sex in its own way it is
important.
The LPGA Tour’s five day tournament at LPGA
International in Daytona Beach, Fla. might have been
taking place on Mars or some place even less visited,
like New Jersey. At stake for the competitors were 20
full time tickets for the 2010 tour, though next year’s
edition of the circuit is drastically reduced in size, losing
10 events compared to just two years ago.
Some facts:
Michael Whan, the new commissioner, will have his
own way of doing things. Presumably his methods will
be different than those employed by former commish
Carolyn Bivens. During her tenure she managed to
alienate players, fans, media and sponsors…no mean
feat.
Many of the Tour’s problems can attributed to the
worldwide economic downturn.
From the view point of American golf fans, the Tour’s
fan base in spite of all the money coming from
sponsors in the Far East and Mexico, there are two
basic problems. Large numbers of LPGA players are
foreign-born thereby creating a hurdle for U.S. fans who
might want to relate to them since many have limited
English skills. Secondly, the foreign born pros are
playing better than the Americans. Case in point,
Christie Kerr won the Michelob ULTRA Open on May
10. Seventeen events later (Nov.15) Michelle Wie
managed her first tour victory. No other Americans won
in that stretch and with the exception of the Solheim
Cup (US 16 – Europe 12) for much of the ’09 season
American fans didn’t have hometown winners to cheer.
It will be hard to build US fan interest in the 2010
schedule (as was the case for the past several years)
when it begins with two overseas events (Thailand,
Singapore) then two in the States, then two out of the
country…well you get the idea. Barely half (13 of 24) of
the Tour tournaments are in the U.S.
Television coverage will be on the Golf Channel and
therefore by definition of limited exposure.
There’s a new event in Jamaica where a field of 16 will
play Raceway Golf, a new format with potential to excite
fan interest. On the first day the ladies will tee it up in
three six-hole matches playing for points with the
highest eight point earners going on to the second day
single elimination matches.
So far three top names, Paula Creamer, Christina Kim
and Suzann Pettersen are signed to play with the other
13 to be named.
The LPGA Tour Championship has neither a sponsor or
location only dates plugged into the schedule.
Michelle Wie, media darling and the potential to be the
best female golfer in the world, seems maybe to have
matured enough to become a positive asset to the Tour.
The winner of a weather-buffeted qualifying school was
one of the best U.S. amateurs Amanda Blumenherst
from Arizona. She was among an even half dozen
Americans getting one of the 20 cards handed out. She
no doubt can generate more fan involvement if her play
puts her in position to win.
Even before the present difficulties, the LPGA Tour was
becoming the first international golf tour based in the
USA; very commendable. If however, the ladies hope to
overcome the financial shortfalls, image problems and
relationship mishandling of that past, the first order of
business is engage more golf fans in the United States.
Otherwise that base of interested not to mention avid
members of the sports community may slip away for
good.
schedule (as was the case for the past several years)
when it begins with two overseas events (Thailand,
Singapore) then two in the States, then two out of the
country…well you get the idea. Barely half (13 of 24) of
the Tour tournaments are in the U.S.
Television coverage will be on the Golf Channel and
therefore by definition of limited exposure.
There’s a new event in Jamaica where a field of 16 will
play Raceway Golf, a new format with potential to excite
fan interest. On the first day the ladies will tee it up in
three six-hole matches playing for points with the
highest eight point earners going on to the second day
single elimination matches.
So far three top names, Paula Creamer, Christina Kim
and Suzann Pettersen are signed to play with the other
13 to be named.
The LPGA Tour Championship has neither a sponsor or
location only dates plugged into the schedule.
Michelle Wie, media darling and the potential to be the
best female golfer in the world, seems maybe to have
matured enough to become a positive asset to the Tour.
The winner of a weather-buffeted qualifying school was
one of the best U.S. amateurs Amanda Blumenherst
from Arizona. She was among an even half dozen
Americans getting one of the 20 cards handed out. She
no doubt can generate more fan involvement if her play
puts her in position to win.
Even before the present difficulties, the LPGA Tour was
becoming the first international golf tour based in the
USA; very commendable. If however, the ladies hope to
overcome the financial shortfalls, image problems and
relationship mishandling of that past, the first order of
business is engage more golf fans in the United States.
Otherwise that base of interested not to mention avid
members of the sports community may slip away for
good.