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Randall Mell

7Deputy commissioner among 8 LPGA cuts

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profileIconRANDALL MELL, Senior Writer, GolfChannel.com   Posted 10/07/2009, 2:16 PM EST

Libba Galloway, the LPGA’s deputy commissioner, is among eight association staff members whose positions are being eliminated in budget cuts, LPGA officials confirmed.

Galloway will remain on staff through the rest of the year. Seven other positions were eliminated immediately. They were informed Wednesday morning by acting commissioner Marty Evans.

“Due to the changes in our tournament business and other effects of the world-wide recession, the LPGA has eliminated the position of deputy commissioner effective December 31, 2009,” Evans said in a statement. “Libba Galloway, a key contributor to the LPGA for nearly a decade, will transition out of the association at the end of the year. We thank Libba for her leadership, commitment and the countless contributions that she has provided us.”

With the tour’s schedule shrinking, revenues are shrinking. The LPGA staged 34 events last year, will stage 27 this year, with tour officials projecting they’ll stage between 23 and 25 next year.

“We are losing members of the LPGA who have provided significant service to the association,” Evans said in a statement. “We thank them and wish them well in their future endeavors.”

 

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  1. harleyrod2007

    harleyrod2007 Said on 10/08/2009, at 4:37 PM EST

    “realist007 Ladies European Tour's leading money winner has earned just over $300,000 US in 17 events averaging $17,900 per event..the JLPGA (which doesn't have an English version website)consists of 38 events but the prize money is just $28mil US..while the LPGA had 29 events and a prize of $50mil US. With an average of just over $700,000 per event the girls travel 33% more for almost 50% less. South Korea prize fund is less than Japan.. jiYai Shin won an average of $20,000 first prize per event in 2008 when she won 10 of 19 events in South Korea and earned only $200,000 for the entire year on the KLPGA. The money in Asian tours just isn't there. Plus the cost of travel and accommodations throughout Asia is very expensive and the American girls could not afford to play there for a full year. That's why the European's and Asian's "dream" is to play on the LPGA...DUH!! The only ones heading overseas will be the Asians and a few Americans with deep pockets.”

  2. Realist007

    Realist007 Said on 10/08/2009, at 2:22 PM EST

    “Macer has some good points. Wie does have -0- wins in four years as a professional and I stand corrected! Wie is a long hitter (very long, longer than most men) but does hit it sideways almost half the time (144th in driving accuracy). It is difficult to play, let alone win with a collar around the neck. I was unaware of this plight for Wie, so I again, stand corrected. B.J. for Commissioner!!!!!!”

  3. macer

    macer Said on 10/08/2009, at 5:21 AM EST

    “alan1084, Wow! Such interesting and informative observations you make about "older but not cougar" women. Realist007, you are "unreal," because an amateur win at 13 is not comparable to a win on the LPGA Tour. jeff7, you are also "unreal" because Wie will win on the LPGA Tour with her length and improved short game. Wie would win soon if her dad, B.J., was commissioner of the LPGA Tour and devoted his time to the tour instead of being a "parental collar" around Michelle's neck. Macer”

  4. macer

    macer Said on 10/08/2009, at 5:03 AM EST

    “The LPGA Tour will remain for the foreseeable future, although it will not conduct the same number of tournaments as in the recent past. The LPGA Tour has always been resilient and steadfast with their goal of providing a place for women professional golfers to play competitively. Quite frankly, I look for the LPGA Tour to struggle for a few years because of the economy and come back stronger thereafter because of lessons learned from the last few years, i.e. leadership and difficult economic times. Macer”

  5. Realist007

    Realist007 Said on 10/07/2009, at 11:01 PM EST

    “Wie already has a victory. She won an amateur event when she was 13 years old. There is always the Ladies European Tour which is doing quite well, the Japanese tour which we hear little about but which is very competitive and has large purses. If the tournament roster gets below 20, some are going to head overseas by default. ”

  6. jeff7

    jeff7 Said on 10/07/2009, at 10:23 PM EST

    “With the LPGA falling off the end of the earth, Wie fans may never get the victory they yearn for.”

  7. Realist007

    Realist007 Said on 10/07/2009, at 5:41 PM EST

    “The LPGA should hire B.J. Wie. With his ties to Nike and being Korean, that combination should equate to several tournament sponsorships. After all, South Koreans win about half of them.”