"Given what could have been the potential negative economic impact on our schedule, we view this as a barometer of stability, appeal and value for our players and our property"

That's what the LPGA Commish said in describing the new schedule, which is missing three events and has the players making some pretty long treks from week-to-week. Tim Reynolds, writing for AP:

Next year's LPGA schedule begins in Hawaii, then heads to Thailand, Singapore and Mexico, not returning to the U.S. until the Phoenix event from March 26-29, details of which have yet to be released.

Some events shifted slots from the 2008 schedule, others changed sponsors and details are still being finalized about the Samsung World Championship, which was in Cleveland this year.

One quirk to the 2009 schedule: The U.S. Women's Open starts July 9, followed by the Evian Masters, the British Open and the Solheim Cup. So it's possible that a player who isn't qualified for those events wouldn't play between the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic (which ends July 5) and the Safeway Classic (which starts Aug. 28).

"Given what could have been the potential negative economic impact on our schedule, we view this as a barometer of stability, appeal and value for our players and our property," Bivens said.

Comments

[Ryan B]

As a heads up, the Samsung was still in California. The tourney office was in Cleveland.

[Four-putt]

Bivens' blather bores me. She speaks as if she's living in a fog. Maybe wishful thinking, eh, or just ridiculous spin?

4p

[Wayne]

Three tournaments in Mexico? The American players better brush up on Spanish so they can pass that mandatory test next year!

The girls are definitely going to rack up some air miles.

Canadian Open in September. It could be snowing in Calgary by then. I wonder why they moved from their August spot? Perhaps they felt squeezed by the British and Solheim.

[LPGAFAN]

This is simply a horrible schedule - and the BS spin that Bivens is trying to put on it smells! She needs to be told to not let the door hit her in the butt on the way out.

[Steven T.]

I'm dizzy from all this spin. I am glad the election is over as that was too much spin to bear. Now, I'm not so sure.

[The Constructivist]

I'd like the see February-April with fewer dead weeks, and the late-summer vacation is worse than ever, but terrible?

http://mlyhlss.blogspot.com/2008/11/responding-to-2009-lpga-schedule.html