Michael Whan Selected as Next Commissioner of the LPGA Tour

The LPGA's exhaustive search to replace Carolyn Bivens finally came to an end Wednesday morning when the Tour named 44-year-old former marketing executive Michael Whan as its new commissioner.

"We established very strict criteria for the position of Commissioner and Mike impressed us not only with his background and intellect but also his passion for golf," Board of Directors Chairman Dawn Hudson said at the announcement of the LPGA's new leading man.

Whan is a surprise choice from a list of candidates that once included WNBA Commissioner Donna Orender and most recently the USGA's Chief Business Officer Peter Bevacqua.

Whan, most recently president and chief executive officer of Mission-Itech Hockey, has a personal and professional background in golf, including serving as an executive and general manager for Taylormade-adidas Golf. Whan has also worked for Wilson's sporting goods division.

"It is rare to work for an organization that combines all the passions in your life, but with the LPGA, I feel I've been presented with the unique opportunity to do just that," Whan said during a news conference at Madison Square Garden. "First, this is an association surrounded by passionate, value-driven people. Second, I'm energized by brand building and the work involved in marketing and growing a sport. Third, I simply love the game of golf - both the life lessons it teaches and the friendships it helps create."

"We interviewed a number of great candidates, but Mike really stood out as someone with integrity, honesty and a life-long passion ofr the sport," said LPGA player Helen Alfredsson, who served on the search committee established to find a new commissioner.

"He will bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the LPGA at a critical time for our association," added Julie Inkster, who was also part of the search committee. "Mike clearly demonstrated a desire to make sure that the LPGA remains the best women's sports organization in the world. He has the whole package of what we were looking for, and he'll do what's needed to make sure that we're successful.

Acting  Commissioner Marty Evans will work with Whan during a transistion period before he offically assumes the role of commissioner in January 2010. Both Whan and Evans will attend the LPGA Tour Championship presented by Rolex the week of Nov. 16 in Houston, where a player meeting will be held and the 2010 LPGA season schedule will be released.

"So as I sit here today, I'm humbled to be the next commissioner of the LPGA in what will be its 60th year, and I look forward to great things to come," Whan concluded. "I've said this to the people at the table and I'll say this to you, I don't take this job lightly; I took this as a personal passion, as a calling more than a position, and I won't let the LPGA players, tournament directors, staff down, because I view this as something that's beyond just a position, so I'll take it that serious."

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