Whan Looking To Grow LPGA As He Takes Over As New Commissioner

Whan To Officially Assume Role As LPGA Commissioner On January 4

 LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan officially assumes his new role Monday, and he will be “looking to give the LPGA some momentum for 2010,” according to Marc Figueroa of the NORTH COUNTY TIMES. Whan said, “I don’t think I’m some grand savior. I thought I could make a difference. I hope I can. With my leadership style and the pieces that are already there, I think we can take this to a place where it hasn’t been and a place where it deserves to go.” Figueroa notes Whan’s “listen-first style may be exactly what the LPGA needs.” Whan said that the LPGA “needs to get back to building more meaningful, custom relationships with its clients." Whan: “I think sometimes you forget what it’s like to be a sponsor. One of the things I want to do is bring a sponsor’s mentality to the business. I want to understand what’s important to them. I think one thing that golf has failed to do is customize the event to the sponsor.” Figueroa notes it is up to Whan to “convince sponsors that the tour is a worthy investment,” which is “not an easy thing to do in a shaky economy.” Whan: “I knew that before I said yes to the job, and frankly it’s why I said yes to the job. I wouldn’t have taken the job if things were rolling along and everyone was happy” (NORTH COUNTY TIMES, 12/30).