The state of the LPGA was a hot topic this weekend, as the
Tour held its first major, the Dinah Shore Classic. ABC's
coverage of the Dinah Shore is one of only seven tournaments
carried by network TV. In Montreal, Pat Hickey writes, "If
you're a fan of women's golf and you can't understand why there
isn't more TV coverage, it's because there aren't more of you
fans" (Montreal GAZETTE, 3/25). In San Jose, Marcus Hayes blames
the lack of coverage on the the popularity of the men's tours:
"Men own the airwaves" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 3/25). In L.A.,
Thomas Bonk creidts outgoing LPGA Commissioner Charlie Mechem for
increasing the prize money from $17.1M to $24M and the number of
LPGA licensees from 20 to 29. Candidates to succeed Mecham
include former Sprint exec Jack Frazee and Wilson Golf marketing
chief Jan Thompson ( L.A. TIMES, 3/26).
GOLF "FORUM" SEEN AS A "SHOT" AT WORLD TOUR: In Boston, Joe
Concannon writes that last week's World Golf Forum (see THE
DAILY, 3/23) "seemed to be a united shot at Greg Norman's
proposed tour." Greg Norman defended his proposed Fox-sponsored
World Tour: "Now that the smoke has cleared, a lot of good has
come out of it. I have played in different parts of the world,
and there is a very supportive feeling for it" (BOSTON GLOBE,
3/26).
