Whan Keeps Asking Augusta National To Host A Women's Event
/Monte Burke interviews Mike Whan
Read MoreWhen you come to think of it that is the secret of most of the great holes all over the world. They all have some kind of a twist. C.B. MACDONALD
LPGA Announces 2012 Slate Well Before Its First 2012 Event!
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Ron Sirak breaks down the additions to the LPGA Tour's 27-event schedule and says this "very well be the most crucial corner turned in a seemingly endless series of twists and turns during the 62-year history of the tour.
Golf Channel's Randall Mell also gives the LPGA a big thumb's up, saying "The ship doesn’t look like its foundering anymore."
Your Move Commish: Lexi WD's From Q-School
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Sean Martin talks to Lexi Thompson'a agent, who confirms the 16-year-old winner of an LPGA event will not be returning to Q-School next week, whapping the ball firmly in Commissioner Mike Whan's court.Lexi Wins Tour Event…Now Back To Q-School Second Stage!?
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This is getting awkward!“I think I had some fear because I didn’t want to be the guy who messed with tradition.”
/I haven't paid much attention to the LPGA's designation of the Evian Masters as a fifth major other than to read the criticism of some writers who aren't too impressed by the news.
"Now we plan to generate new business by taking care of the customers we have."
/Rick Lipsey interviews LPGA Tour Commissioner Mike Whan, who has a few interesting things to say.
Read More"Quite frankly, one of the things I think we learned in 2008 and ’09 is to really respect that.”
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Beth Ann Baldry reports on Mike Whan's first LPGA player meeting. It sounds like the Commish has learned that Plan 2010, or whatever it was the Brand Lady tried to shove down sponsor throats, is best kept on the shelf until times are better.
When Whan was asked how he’d describe the tour these days, he said “re-emerging.” They’re in the business of renewals, and he’s reaching out to all the partners who parted ways in the past several years.
“We’re tied to the business partners we’re with,” he said. “If they’re hurting, we’re hurting. Quite frankly, one of the things I think we learned in 2008 and ’09 is to really respect that.”
“When he left, there was a noticable buzz in the room."
/Jim Achenbach tries to read into Tim Finchem's absence from the USGA Annual Meeting and it sounds like the LPGA's Mike Whan made up for any missed encounters with the PGA Tour head:
Read More"I hurt my back pulling my reserved space sign out of a cement base in the parking lot at the LPGA Tour headquarters in Daytona Beach. I don't want a special space."
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Farrell Evans catches up with new LPGA Commish Mike Whan and I don't know about you, but The Metamucil Man has a nice ring to it, no?
You started your career at Procter & Gamble, where you were the lead brand manager for Metamucil and Crest, among other roles. How different is marketing Metamucil and toothpaste from women's golf?
This isn't my first time marketing to women. Crest's core audience consisted of women. But really the most important thing I think in marketing is getting to know what people want. I have spent most of my time in the new job asking questions and listening to learn the business.
And this was a great question by Farrell and quite a funny scene to imagine:
What's the funniest thing that's happened to you on the job so far?
I hurt my back pulling my reserved space sign out of a cement base in the parking lot at the LPGA Tour headquarters in Daytona Beach. I don't want a special space. This isn't the Mike Whan Tour. It's about the players, fans and corporate partners. We're all in the same foxhole.
"In other words, outsourcing is great thing. In fact, it’s worked so well in our downtrodden economy over the past 10 years that the hunch here is it will have a similar effect for the LPGA."
/Love the passion in Bill Huffman's take on the LPGA leaving Phoenix. Seems Bill reads the USA Today and was not too taken with Commissioner Mike Whan dropping the "G" word in a story authored by Steve DiMeglio. No, not Tim Finchem's growth mantra, but the other "G" word due to become Finchem's new favorite after his Asian trip.
Read MoreLPGA Schedule Clippings
/Beth Ann Baldry files an upbeat take on the schedule release but unfortunately endorses this groaner from the new Commish:
Read More“What I’m most proud of in my career is that I’ve built brands; I’ve built them globally, and I’ve left them significantly larger than when I joined them"
/Beth Ann Baldry files this profile of new LPGA Commish Mike Whan (family man, Midwest values, looks you in the eye, yada, yada, yada).
You know, I've read four or five stories on the hockey stick dude and I still couldn't tell you the name of this glorious brand he built.
“Who is Mike Whan?”
/Sports Business Journal's Jon Show tracks down Mike Whan at his home office to find out more about the new LPGA Commish.
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