LPGA Names Evans as Acting Commissioner Following Bivens' Resignation

The problematic and oft-criticized reign of Carolyn Bivens as the chief executive of the LPGA Tour has officially come to an end.

On Monday the LPGA Board of Directors jointly announced Bivens resignation and the elevation of LPGA Board member Rear Admiral Marsha J. Evans, Navy (retired) to the role of interim commissioner effective immediately. 

The association has embarked on a search for a full-time Commissioner and made several changes within the leadership structure of the organization, including the appointment of LPGA player legend Annika Sorenstam as Advisor to the LPGA Board of Directors.

On her way out, Bivens spoke about her time as commissioner and the future of her former organization.

"The LPGA is a special organization comprised of great players, teachers and fans with a rich history," Bivens said. "I love the LPGA and have been proud to serve as its commissioner for the last four years. I am also proud of what the LPGA has accomplished during my tenure. My job was to be a change agent, to help move the LPGA into the strongest possible position to ensure its future. Those changes were only possible because the members are dynamic women who provide great value to our sponsors and tournaments. We also have a talented and dedicated staff supported by an engaged board that worked closely together to make progress.

"It is time to turn this organization over to someone who can build on the solid foundation we've established. I wish the LPGA and its members nothing but fairways and greens as it enters its 60th year."

The new acting commissioner has quite an accomplished resume including stints as head of the Girls Scouts of America and head of the Red Cross. Evans has also served as chief of staff at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis and was the first woman to command a U.S. naval station.

"It is an honor to have been selected to serve in the role of acting commissioner pending the selection of the Association's next Commissioner," Evans said. "We look forward to making progress on completing negotiations for the 2010 schedule and building on the impressive work of Commissioner Bivens to execute the Association's long-range strategic plan."

Along with suring up a tenuous 2010 schedule, the LPGA Tour now begins the process of seeking out a permanent commissioner to lead the organization forward. It's expected that the search will be thorough but quick, taking less than two months to complete.

"We'll soon have in place a Commissioner to lead us into 2010 and beyond, but until then, it's important that we immediately appoint an Acting Commissioner whom we know and trust," said Dawn Hudson, board of directors chairman.

The Executive Search Committee will be led by LPGA Board member Leslie Greis and joined by Board members Juli Inkster, Helen Alfredsson and Bill Morton. Their work will be supplemented by the full Board of Directors and renowned executive search firm Spencer Stuart.

Hudson also announced several other changes within the LPGA. Sorenstam, one of the LPGA's legendary players who retired last year and has embarked on her own business ventures, will serve as Advisor to the Board of Directors, assisting the association with on-going discussions with tournaments and sponsors.

"Obviously, I will do everything possible to ensure that the LPGA remains the pre-eminent women's sports association in the world," Sorenstam said. "I'm committed to getting up to speed quickly on the challenges facing the Board right now, and will assist the LPGA in a number of ways both immediately and long-term."

During her tenure starting in 2005, Bivens acquired and integrated the Duramed Futures Tour, a burgeoning developmental Tour, into the LPGA; secured ownership of a Major, the LPGA Championship; upgraded the quality of the courses on which LPGA players compete; introduced the first drug-testing program in professional golf; secured a landmark five-year TV rights agreement with South Korea's J Golf which includes a new tournament in southern California starting in 2010; and secured a ten-year partnership from 2010-2019 with the Golf Channel, creating a dependable viewing schedule for LPGA events.

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