"Their disqualification on the eve of the first women’s major of the year before the first official shot had been struck was another spoonful of bad publicity for the L.P.G.A. Tour."

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I'm not sure I can buy that take from the New York Times' Karen Crouse regarding the disqualification of Helen Alfredsson, Maria Hjorth and Sangsang Feng from the Nabisco for missing their pro-am times. While Alfredsson's situation as an alternate does sound a bit more unusual, I don't see anything wrong with the LPGA's policy. In fact, it sounds like they make it a pretty simple set-up for alternates like Alfredsson.
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"If Wie was lying, she’d be the one to have to look in the mirror when she puts on her makeup and know she did."

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Thanks to reader Tom for John Vander Borght's follow up to his original post on Michelle Wie and her questionable explanation for grounding her club, which he's apparently caught a little flak for defending. I think he makes a fair rebuttal point even though I find her explanation dubious.
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"Quite frankly, one of the things I think we learned in 2008 and ’09 is to really respect that.”

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Beth Ann Baldry reports on Mike Whan's first LPGA player meeting. It sounds like the Commish has learned that Plan 2010, or whatever it was the Brand Lady tried to shove down sponsor throats, is best kept on the shelf until times are better.

When Whan was asked how he’d describe the tour these days, he said “re-emerging.” They’re in the business of renewals, and he’s reaching out to all the partners who parted ways in the past several years.

“We’re tied to the business partners we’re with,” he said. “If they’re hurting, we’re hurting. Quite frankly, one of the things I think we learned in 2008 and ’09 is to really respect that.”

"I hurt my back pulling my reserved space sign out of a cement base in the parking lot at the LPGA Tour headquarters in Daytona Beach. I don't want a special space."

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Farrell Evans catches up with new LPGA Commish Mike Whan and I don't know about you, but The Metamucil Man has a nice ring to it, no?

You started your career at Procter & Gamble, where you were the lead brand manager for Metamucil and Crest, among other roles. How different is marketing Metamucil and toothpaste from women's golf?

This isn't my first time marketing to women. Crest's core audience consisted of women. But really the most important thing I think in marketing is getting to know what people want. I have spent most of my time in the new job asking questions and listening to learn the business.

And this was a great question by Farrell and quite a funny scene to imagine:

What's the funniest thing that's happened to you on the job so far?

I hurt my back pulling my reserved space sign out of a cement base in the parking lot at the LPGA Tour headquarters in Daytona Beach. I don't want a special space. This isn't the Mike Whan Tour. It's about the players, fans and corporate partners. We're all in the same foxhole.

"Bivens cost the tour $824,345 in salary, bonuses and benefits in 2008, up from $522,000 in 2007."

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Jon Show scoured the LPGA's IRS filings and reports that their recent staff purge knocked $1 million in salary off the books, but far more amazing was this revelation about the Brand Lady:

Bivens cost the tour $824,345 in salary, bonuses and benefits in 2008, up from $522,000 in 2007. She cost the LPGA $710,812 in compensation and benefits in 2006, which was her only other full year in the job.

"The interim commissioner, Marsha Evans, logged about 45,000 air miles to clean up after Bivens and salvage next season."

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Thanks to reader Rick for Karen Crouse's look at the hardship the new LPGA schedule inflicts on players down the money list, focusing on Reilly Rankin.

I couldn't help but notice this little jab:

The L.P.G.A. is a model of diversity and inclusion that has been at the forefront of globalization. And yet it is wobblier than it has been since its infancy in the early 1950s. In July, a player revolt led to the resignation of the commissioner, Carolyn Bivens, who had secured only nine contracts for 2010 events.

The interim commissioner, Marsha Evans, logged about 45,000 air miles to clean up after Bivens and salvage next season. Michael Whan was named the eighth commissioner in the organization’s 59-year history in October and will officially take the reins in January.

“I think that we should be commending Marty for making a difference in getting some relationships back on track,” Lorie Kane, a tour veteran, said of Evans.