Diversity puts LPGA on the right path
The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour is gaining ground by the day, as more and more new faces are joining the line-up every year, helping the officials boost the presence of
women’s golf across the world.
It is not hard to figure out what has helped the LPGA Tour revive itself and why it has become much more popular than its counterpart LET (Ladies European Tour) in the last few years. The
only thing that has breathed a new life into the Tour is diversity.
The LPGA’s success can be attributed to a newly introduced strategy the officials a few months ago. Lately, the prestigious Tour has become the object of massive inspiration by players from
around the world and sponsors alike.
The strategy, put into practice by Commissioner Mike Whan, worked better than the officials had hoped. Whan wanted to bring the LPGA at par with the PGA (Professional Golf Association)—men’s
Tour—and for this to happen, he recently toured places as far as Japan and China to explore the possibility of expanding women’s golf.
The result of the tour was outstanding as Whan later introduced new tournaments on the Tour in a bid to lure young players into professional golf.
Observers said that the United States appears to have halted producing as many players as Asian countries are doing right now. However, the new trend has only caused a boost in sponsorship
deals—for both individuals and tournaments.
For instance, South Korean Na Yeon Choi, who can be rightly called a golfing icon not only in Asia, but also in the world, has come out as a very expensive player lately.
Choi got in touch with some of the biggest multinational companies thanks to the LPGA’s reputation, inking sponsorship deals that are helping her reel in plenty of money and fame.
It is not just the Tour that is reaping the benefits of diversity, players have also capitalised on its success in terms of game and social skills.
Choi said in one of her recent interviews to the media that she is now in a more comfortable situation when it comes to the relationship with the outside world and fans.
“Two years ago I couldn’t talk much with the media or with the fans. But now I can talk with them, so I feel really comfortable. I think that brought some good to my golf game,” the young
star said.
“I thought I needed more connection with the American fans. That’s why I went looking for an English tutor”.
In addition to Choi, players from places like Taiwan and Japan have also capitalised on the success of the LPGA. Current world number one Yani Tseng is a prime example of the Tour’s diversity,
as she is perhaps the only player right now, who can lure hundreds of new players into the sport without the officials having to worry about their promotional activities.
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