Mike Davis announced he was stepping down from his post at CEO of the USGA around September 22 of last year.
In early January, Michael Whan then announced his time at LPGA Commissioner was coming to and end.
Coincidence?
Was it possible that Whan was already thinking about the USGA position in the weeks and months after Davis made his announcement?
However it shook out, it was obvious that as soon as Whan announced he was stepping down, the speculation already started that he would end up with the CEO position at the United States Golf Association.
That came to fruition this week — Whan is the USGA’s new guy who will have to navigate the controversial Distance Report and mend some broken fences as far as relationships with some PGA Tour stars.
After all he accomplished for the LPGA, Whan should be more than up-to-the-task to push the USGA into better footing in the golf universe.
First thing Whan pointed out when he was announced as the successor to Davis, is that he is very skilled when it comes to forming strategic partnerships. That’s a real plus as he prepares to run golf’s ruling body for the United States.
The USGA is seeking stronger alliances with the expanding and changing entities in the golf world — and that’s right in Whan’s wheelhouse. With the money challenges that face a not-for-profit sports organization, Whan should do quite well. As for the distance debate, Whan’s background includes time at the golf division of Wilson Sporting Goods, TaylorMade then TaylorMade-Adidas after that acquisition. With possible new rules on the horizon, the manufacturers and players are not all that excited.
Whan also has the reputations as an excellent communicator. He’s extremely comfortable in front of microphones and cameras. There’s a realistic expectation that Whan will assume a more “out front” role than any USGA leader since Joe Dey, who ruled as executive director from 1934-68.
“I’m not shy,” Whan conceded. “Stage fright has never been a part of my life.”
As for the direction of the distance debate, Whan emphasized: “The last thing I’m going to do is become the head of the USGA who is going to try to stick a company’s $100 million in R&D in some box and say no more innovation. I really believe that innovation, the investment that the manufacturers make in the game of golf, is one of the things that makes our sport better than so many other sports. So we don’t do this without the voice and the help of the manufacturers in the process. That won’t be easy. But that’s one of the things that makes me excited about it. I do like the people we’re talking about doing this with. I’ve lived their life. I know what it’s like to have a bunch of money in inventory and R&D and trying to push the envelope. We’re not going to take the fun out of the game. We’re not going to take the innovation out of the game. We’re just going to make sure that the game is just as fun and innovative in 100 years as it is today. And finding that balance, I’ll be the first to admit, won’t be easy. But I’m excited about a group that is not backing away from something just because it’s not easy.”
Whan also went back to the “partnership” talk. “I want the golf world to perceive the USGA as a partner,” he said. “In growing and protecting this game. And making it more inviting. I know sometimes we gotta make tough decisions. But I don’t just want to be the cop of the game. I want to be the person who is in this with you.”
Sounds like the right guy for the task, doesn’t he?
LPGA Tour Gets Match Play Event In Vegas:
The LPGA Tour will have a new match-play tournament on its schedule this spring.
The inaugural Bank of Hope LPGA Match Play will be held May 26-30 at Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas. The 64-player, $1.5 million event will expand the LPGA’s 2021 schedule to 35 events worth $77.95 million, which are both records for the tour.
Bank of Hope had been associated with the LPGA as title sponsor of the Founders Cup in 2017-19. The LPGA Match Play field will be divided into 16 groups of four players for three days of round-robin matches to decide the 16-player bracket. The final 16 players will compete in single-elimination matches.
One Comment
baxter cepeda
Yet another awesome, well-timed accomplishment by Whan for the lpga tour; which he has marketed for so long almost as well as himself.
Whan will enjoy a well deserved honeymoon period with the usga but it’s important to note the critical contrasts to his lpga reign.
He took the top job for the ladies tour at the absolute perfect time to create steady growth; all the while marketing himself in the most genius of fashions. But all that will not be as easy with the usga.
The usga is not a starving tour lacking attention; it’s arguably a too gato gordo organization with too many critics to count.
Whan seems like the guy to sell preserving the status quo regarding constant equipment gains in golf. His desire to please players cements not much will likely change regarding technology in golf. Expecting any restraints on technology seems foolish at this point. It looks like progression favoring bombers will only increase; especially with Rory leading the players association.
Golf courses around 7000 yards and under wanting to remain relevant during Whans tenure will need to adjust. They can start by studying Riviera. But that’s easier said then done.
Of course traditionalists can always adjust to bomb and chip.
Point is there will always be someone unhappy with any decisions from a usga Commish; a stark contrast from Whans time in his last gig.
The thing to remember is that since the first full size driver heads came out a couple decades ago, the average golfer has increased nothing in yardage. Zero. Zilch. Nada.
Meanwhile the top bombers have gone from 300 to 400 and counting.
Something’s gotta give. I wish this great people pleaser the best of luck.