Ohio Golf Journal May 2020

By Fred Altvater W hen Michael Whan accepted the job as LPGA Tour Commissioner in 2010, he had a tough task in front of him. The women’s tour was down to only 23 events, attendance was poor and there was very little television exposure. With no exposure, deep-pocket sponsors were unwilling to provide the funding necessary for adequate prize money, or to buy more television time. The tour, that had begun due to the efforts of 13 ladies in 1950, was dying and it was up to him to save it. The late Carol Mann, an LPGA legend, told me of her first meeting with the newly-hired commissioner, “In that first meeting with the tour members, he came in, took off his jacket, rolled up his sleeves, asked questions and said let’s get to work. He made a huge impression.” Whan is no stranger to work and has a passion for golf. His early jobs included mowing greens and caddying at a local course in Naperville, Illinois. He was a walk-on quarterback prospect at Miami University in Ohio and quickly rose through the ranks in several corporate assignments. After graduation from Miami University in 1987, he began his career with Procter & Gamble. In a short seven years, he rose to the position of Director of Marketing for the Oral Care Division. Michael Whan is the Best Administrator in All of Professional Sports Ohio Golf Journal