LPGA Schedule Clippings

Beth Ann Baldry files an upbeat take on the schedule release but unfortunately endorses this groaner from the new Commish:

“It’s exciting to be back in a business meeting where it’s OK to bring a wedge,” said Whan, whose background includes executive tenures at TaylorMade Golf and Wilson Golf. (All good brainstorming at the Golfweek office occurs while swinging a club. We get it.)

Ron Sirak isn't so wild about what he sees and offers a five point plan for rejuvenating the LPGA Tour that includes finding a business partner like the PGA Tour and getting back the ADT Championship.

Speaking of that event, Baldry reported that the mention of its unique format apparently caused a deer-in-headlights look from acting commish Marty Evans, Steve Elling reminds us that it's not the just economy, but a series of Commissioner Bivens moves that killed things like the ADT.

Brendan Prunty in the New Jersey Star Ledger explains the demise of the Sybase Classic, and it's a shame since it sounded like a potentially great event at Essex County:

After a successful three-year run at Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, Octagon decided not to renew its contract with the club, choosing to go elsewhere for 2010. For the past three months, the company and the LPGA have been negotiating with Essex County Country Club in West Orange to be the new host site for the Sybase Classic.

Essex County C.C. and Octagon were on the verge of signing a two-year deal to host the event in 2010 and 2011, when talks broke down. Late Tuesday, Octagon's team informed Essex County's board of governors that the event would not be able to take place because of sponsorship issues.

"We had the contract terms, for the most part, ironed out within the last week or so," Essex County's president Dennis Petrocelli told The Star-Ledger Tuesday night. "I think over the last few days, they realized they may not be able to pull (together) the sponsorships in order to have the commitment."

Update on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 07:58 AM by Geoff

Jill Painter reminds us that there was a Beverly Hills press conference to launch the LA stop. Granted, she was the only local journalist invited and no one remembers it, but there was an LA commitment.

Comments

[Steven T.]

This Bivens/LPGA mess will make quite a case study at Harvard Business School.

[Crisp]

Played Essex County last year, what a wonderful course. Have only played a couple Banks courses, but Essex was really good, the LPGA Tour missed a a great opportunity to play a great course. I believe Gil Hanse did much of the redesign work, he and his team did a nice job preserving and enhancing the old layout.

[Steven T.]

Essex County is a great classic course but the LPGA is more interested in getting sponsors than playing great courses and rightfully so.

[Farmingdale]

What I want to know is why did they move it from Upper Montclair? I attended all three events there and it was terrific.

Was Octagon trying to fix something that wasn't broken?

If I was Whan I'd have a hard look at whether or not Octagon was a good partner, or not.

Correct me if I am wrong but I think Upper Montclair wanted to continue to host the event...