TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Bivens out as LPGA commissioner

ADVERTISEMENT

The Associated Press

Published: July 14, 2009

DAYTONA BEACH - Her four-year tenure plagued with difficulties and controversies, Carolyn Bivens resigned as LPGA commissioner Monday, bowing to pressure from players who were upset about her leadership and the tour's economic woes.

Marsha Evans, a retired rear admiral in the Navy who also has led the American Red Cross and Girl Scouts of the USA, will take over as interim commissioner. She'll serve until the LPGA board finds a replacement, which it hopes to do by the end of the year.

Bivens' departure seemed increasingly likely after a group of players wrote a letter last week to the LPGA Tour's board of directors calling for her to quit. Her uncertain status created a distraction over the weekend during the U.S. Women's Open.

Board chairwoman Dawn Hudson said Bivens' resignation was a mutual decision between the former commissioner and the LPGA's board of directors. She praised Bivens for helping the tour "think big" during a developing economic climate.

Evans has limited experience in professional golf; she began serving on the LPGA board this year and her only prior work was on an LPGA commissioner's advisory council in 2007 and 2008.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT