Michael Whan Forms Advisory Council Of Former Execs, LPGAers

Whan Has Enlisted Team Of Highly Regarded Teachers To Serve As His Advisory Council

LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan has "enlisted a team of highly regarded teachers to guide his continuing education" and to "serve as his advisory council as he rebuilds the tour," according to Randall Mell of THEGOLFCHANNEL.com. World Golf HOFers Nancy Lopez and Annika Sorenstam, former LPGA Commissioner Charlie Mechem and former JCPenney CEO W.R. Howell are "lending their expertise to the commissioner's cause," and Whan is "actively engaging them with the LPGA season only two weeks away." Lopez said when Whan was hired she "called to let him know I was there for him and the LPGA." Lopez: "He's very personable and approachable, and you need that. You want corporate sponsors welcoming him, not dreading their meetings with him. He's very positive." Whan said that Lopez "may play an integral role in the wooing of a future sponsor, a deal he wouldn't detail but hopes leads to an announcement soon." Meanwhile, Whan described Mechem as a "mentor." Whan: "I told him I'm not sure you want to mentor me, but I'm not leaving you alone." Mell noted Mechem's "connections led to Howell's joining Whan's advisory council." Mechem "introduced Whan to Howell two months ago," and the relationship Whan is "forging with Howell says a lot about Whan's focus as he begins his new job." Meanwhile, Whan's "focus in his first 30 days is rebuilding the LPGA schedule and relationships with title sponsors." Mell wrote the announcement last week that Sybase is "returning and will sponsor the Match Play Championship was good news for a tour that might not be done adding to this year's schedule" (THEGOLFCHANNEL.com, 2/3).