"Out of respect for the USGA, I'm asking that questions at this time be reserved for the U.S. Open or questions about myself and my golf and perhaps my wine making."
Cristie Kerr, at the 2009 U.S. Women's Open, sidestepping LPGA/Bivens questions:
CRISTIE KERR: Absolutely. I want to read something I've actually prepared for everybody. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for coming out for the 2009 U.S. Women's Open at Saucon Valley. The USGA as usual has done an amazing job preparing for this event, and I speak for a lot of players when I say we're very excited to be here this week. As a former champion of this prestigious event, I can honestly say that this course, the community and the field for this year's event is going to provide a memorable week. I happen to think it's one of my favorite U.S. Open golf courses I've ever played. I also realize many of you in this room probably have questions and concerns and issues involving the LPGA. Out of respect for the USGA, I'm asking that questions at this time be reserved for the U.S. Open or questions about myself and my golf and perhaps my wine making. I cannot comment on matters pertaining to the LPGA operations as I do not have an official capacity to do that.
But I can talk about the new cab we're debuting this fall. It's not subtle but it is very crisp, just like Carolyn Bivens!
Kerr's statement did not go over too well with Steve Elling. Wowsers.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 12:17 PM
View Printer Friendly Version
Email Article to Friend
Reader Comments (15)
Can anybody tell me who are the 15 players who signed the letter? I keep hearing the names of the more media-prominent players, but I suspect there were some very experienced members of the Tour involved as well.
If elling wants a story he should go get Bivens to coment, she usually shows up for the majors--carolyn?, oh, maybe she skipped it this year-wonder why.
http://www.golfdigest.com/golfworld/columnists/2009/07/golf_uswomensopen_bivens_sirak_0707
See my updates for commentary on them and Seanor:
http://mlyhlss.blogspot.com/2009/07/whither-lpga-or-michelle-wie-effect.html
I think it's kind of nice to not turn it into an LPGA press conference.
Will she actually show up at the Open? I doubt it, she will go and hide like she did after the Koreans being required to speak english outbreak last fall - she was unavailable for comment for over a week.
Might be time to break out Roy and Dale for a little "HAPPY TRAILS"!
If Inkster is against, who is the other against? Pat Hurst?? I cannot believe Bivens would still have the support of 5 players on the board!!
This is the list of players on the current board: Michelle Ellis, president; Sherri Steinhauer, vice president; Helen Alfredsson; Pat Hurst; Juli Inkster; Christina Kim; and Stacy Prammanasudh.
The LPGA independent board members are: Rear Admiral Marsha J. Evans, U.S. Navy (retired); W. Grant Gregory, retired chairman of Touche Ross; Leslie Greis, founder, CEO and managing member of Perennial Capital Advisors, LLC; Dawn Hudson, former president and chief executive officer, Pepsi-Cola North America, Pepsico, Inc.; Bill Morton, current chariman of Jack Morton Worldwide; Nancy Wiese, former vp of worldwide brand marketing/advertising, Xerox Corporation. Hudson is chairman of the Board of Directors of the LPGA.
At least they've got a rear admiral in there!!
"Five of the seven players on the LPGA Board of Directors are in favor of removing commissioner Carolyn Bivens from her post, according to a report in Golf World magazine."
The question is who are the TWO players who support Bivens? and do that have their heads buried in the bunker??
I'm certain Christina Kim is one of the two. There is another article out there saying she was not invited to the dinner and only found out about it and the letter after the fact. She is further quoted saying something like she's never had any problems with Bivens nor aware of anythign untoward.
If I had to guess I'd guess Ellis or Prammanasudh as the other.
This is really going to be interesting to watch!