LPGA Player Letter Calls For Bivens To Resign

As Jim Gorant first suggested, a letter from a group of top players has been written. But as Beth Ann Baldry reports, the letter has been sent and is even tougher than perhaps first thought.

A letter then was sent to the LPGA Board of Directors calling for Bivens’ resignation and an establishment of new leadership, a player who received a copy of the letter told Golfweek on Monday. Players stated in the letter that all of the tour’s problems can’t be blamed on a poor economy and expressed a desire to rebuild relationships with longtime sponsors. Those players in favor of Bivens’ resignation attached their names to the note. It was uncertain late Monday how many players support the resignation.

You have to figure that this happening during U.S. Open week speaks to how dire some of the players feel the situation has become. Perhaps it's necessary to keep a couple of key events around.

Contracts have expired for the Jamie Farr and Wegmans LPGA, two long-standing events. Wegmans tournament director Linda Hampton said the two parties are nowhere near making a decision about the Rochester event’s future. Farr’s 25-year run also remains uncertain.

“We have respect for (Bivens’) vision,” Hampton said. “What we have difficulty in is keeping pace with her vision, especially in this economy.”

Comments

[Andy Brown]

I guess we just have to watch this space to see what happens over the next week.

[Brad Ford]

I have a vision. Bivens in the unemployment line and a new commissioner struggling to undue the damage done by her "vision."

[OWGR Fan]

A cardboard cut out would be a more effective commissioner than Bivens currently is. The LPGA ship is sinking so fast.

[Agog]

'bout f'g time, dumb...

[Steven T.]

It's about time.

[Aunt Blabbie]

Deep-six her.

[styled]

Here's a Bivens story. I am not making this up: We got to the last PGA Show (in Orlando). Bivens is there, meeting and greeting. We figure, "Hey, why not go introduce ourselves." We're bloggers. We have an amiable five-minute chat about how the blogosphere is a huge opportunity -- mediawise -- for the LPGA, the new generation of players, blah, blah, blah. We would like to be CONSIDERED for credentials when the tour rolls through town, etc. Bivens sort of listens, gives an explanation of how understaffed the LPGA is, and says, "Contact our media person, Connie Wilson."

In an email to Connie Wilson, I briefly rehash the pleasant meeting and copy Bivens to show i followed up. Connie Wilson writes back nicely enough to tell me how credentials will be decided, etc. Bivens respond to the email with, "By the way, I didn't say anything like this."

My partner at Styledtoatee.com and i were STUNNED by her gratuitous show of disrespect and her poor memory.

Robert Lohrer (aka styled)

[Pete Thompson]

Time for Barb Trammell's triumphant return!

[Spence]

You read it here first. August 1, 2009, Condi Rice will be the new commish of the LPGA Tour....and will announce an event to be played at Augusta (where she will be a member soon).

You could hear it first on my radio show Saturday!

Spence

[Joel]

Spence:

Come on... Augusta Country Club maybe but not ANGC!

[Josh]

I predict Michelle Wie will win the US Open this week and spark a flurry of interest in LPGA tour and save Bivens job.

[OWGR Fan]

Josh kind of tough for Wie to win an event she is not even playing in.

[NRH]

The TOA made a similar rec. to the LPGA Board in '05 to no avail.

[Jay Townsend]

I think Judy Dickinson would be a great replacement for Bivens