BETHLEHEM, PA. — Cristie Kerr knew it was coming, so she halted potential inquiries with a preemptive statement.
"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," the 2007 U.S. Women's Open champion said. "I cannot comment on matters pertaining to the LPGA operations, as I do not have an official capacity to do that."
The LPGA's real-world drama intruded upon Saucon Valley Country Club on Tuesday after reports that leading tour players, Kerr among them, have asked LPGA Commissioner Carolyn Bivens to resign. And it formed an awkward moment for players and the LPGA, who want to keep their organization's internal affairs out of the U.S. Golf Assn.'s annual national championship.
"This is an important week for the players and the LPGA, and we're focused first and foremost on the U.S. Women's Open," said David Higdon, chief communications officer for the LPGA. "The LPGA players, staff and board all care deeply about our Tour, and we're all working hard to achieve the same long-term objective to grow our Tour. It's not in the best interest of women's golf to openly discuss internal matters, but you can rest assured that the LPGA and its board of directors consider any topic raised by the players seriously since we are a player organization."
According to Golfweek and GolfWorld magazines, a group of players met last week in Ohio at the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic (whose chances of returning next year are 50/50, according to its host and former "MASH" star) to discuss the state of its organization.
From that meeting, both magazines reported, came a letter signed by as many as 15 players, including Kerr, Lorena Ochoa, Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel, seeking Bivens' resignation. The letter was sent to the LPGA's 13-member board of directors, which includes seven player-directors.
A majority vote could remove Bivens from her position. In June 2008, the board gave Bivens a three-year extension to her contract, which began in 2005.
The players are concerned about their diminishing schedule, which has lost seven events since 2007. Last week, organizers of the Kapalua LPGA Classic announced that they will not hold their tournament in October, citing lack of sponsorship. That is a recurring theme on the LPGA Tour, which could have as few as 10 full-field events in the United States in 2010.
