LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan says golf perfect for Olympics
LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan has said that golf, especially women’s, is perfect for Olympics, as it features players from across the globe.
Speaking about how he sees the future of golf in general, and women’s circuit in particular, Whan said that he is quite hopeful that golf is going to become a permanent sport in the Olympics, not to mention the 2016 events.
He said that women’s golf is expanding globally, and now more and more non-American players can be seen on the course. He said that limiting golf to just one country will put a drag on the sport.
Whan pointed out that America has been a hot spot for golf for decades, as in the past, most of the leading players belonged to this country.
Whan said that it is natural that a fan will always support his or her country, but golf has gone beyond these limits in recent years. This is why, he added, the sport has good prospects in the Olympics games.
“It's fine if you want to root for Americans, it's fine if you want to root for Japanese, but you'll find if you get to know these players.
“I always remember sitting in front of the TV watching Olga Korbut, she was a Russian gymnast, and those were two things my parents didn't like - Russia and gym - and I was loving it because we got to know her story,” the Commissioner said.
When asked what the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) Tour has been lacking, Whan said that the economic side has always been an issue for the officials.
He cited the example of other sports and their media coverage, saying that it is easy to see why these sports tend to grab the spotlight. He stressed that in order to bolster the image of the LPGA, a solid marketing plan will be needed.
“I always say, think about how much money some of the other sports have spent to try to become global. We are truly a global sport, with fans, players and sponsors from around the world, playing together every week,” LPGA head said.
He recounted the time when he took over the LPGA as a Commissioner, saying the biggest challenge he faced was low marketing budget for the sport.
However, he was keen to point out that the Tour has been able to fix most of the lapses in the recent months.
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