Michael Whan became commissioner of the LPGA in October 2009.  Total purses for the 2010 LPGA season were projected to be $6 million less than in the previous year. 

There were only 24 LPGA Tour tournaments scheduled for 2010.  That was down from 34 events in 2008 and 28 tournaments in 2009. 

The United States was in the middle of one of the worst economic recessions that the country had ever seen.  LPGA Tour sponsorship was not at the top of any Fortune 500 corporations marketing budget.

In spite of all the difficulties, Commissioner Whan using a little common sense and ingenuity has grown the women’s game and the LPGA brand.

The LPGA went global.  Rather than chase sponsor dollars in a tight U.S. economy, Whan used his tour’s diverse international flavor to promote tournaments in China, Taiwan, Korea, Europe, Mexico and Australia.

The LPGA is truly an international tour. Golf fans have embraced the multitude of Asian and international players that win consistently on the LPGA. It has become a positive rather than a negative.

Asian players draw huge crowds to the events in their home countries.  The LPGA stretching around the world has opened up many more opportunities for the players, as well as, the LPGA itself.

The LPGA has also embraced social media.  Tour players are encouraged interact with their fans through Facebook and Twitter.

They are also expected to promote the tournament sponsors products and actively interact with fans at an LPGA event.

An LPGA tournament is a “Fan Friendly” environment.

There are 28 events scheduled for the 2013 season with one more yet to be announced.  Total prize money available to the players will top $49 million this year.  

Michael Whan had a vision of what the LPGA could be and he has done a fantastic job of getting the LPGA back on track.