LPGA Narrows Search For Commissioner, Set To Begin Interviews

Pollack Reportedly A "Wild-Card Candidate" For LPGA Commissioner

The LPGA is "narrowing its candidates for commissioner" and is "expected to begin interviews soon," according to Beth Ann Baldry of GOLFWEEK. The LPGA has said that it "hopes to have its new commissioner hired by October." WNBA President Donna Orender has been a "front-runner from the search's outset," and a source indicated that WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack is a "wild-card candidate." Other sources said that USGA Chief Business Officer Pete Bevacqua and PGA Tour Senior VP/Business Development Jon Podany also are "in the running" (GOLFWEEK, 9/19 issue).

TAKING A BLIND APPROACH: In San Diego, Tod Leonard notes these are "troubled times in virtually every corner of the golf industry because of the poor economy, and the LPGA is hurting more than most." The LPGA for the '10 season has "only 17 tournament contracts" renewed thus far, and "whatever the number of tournaments next year, the players will be making less money." Golf World's Ron Sirak said next season is the "perfect storm of bad stuff" for the LPGA. Golfer Juli Inkster said, "It can't get any worse." Leonard writes the "conundrum for the LPGA is that it already was at a crossroads," because while Americans "dominated the tour for decades, they are now being overshadowed by foreigners, mostly players from Asia" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 9/17).