Question of the week [Nov. 24 – Dec. 7]: How would you rate the early performances of PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp and LPGA commissioner Craig Kessler?
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I am not a fan of the announced changes to the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions. Instead of growing the game there seem to be less opportunities for professional golfers to play at the elite level.
On the PGA Tour, now only the top 100 players keep full status — definitely less opportunities for players to earn a living on tour. And it seems to me that these changes are designed to encourage a shorter season, allowing the elite 50 to make more money and make it more difficult for others to break in.
On the Tour Champions, it's definitely not growing the game. No more qualifying school and the only way onto that tour other than a successful PGA Tour career is through Monday qualifying. The Tour will not have the best players 50 years and older, but the players from the PGA Tour who are 50 and older. It's a different mix.
Dave Bozeman
Tomball, Texas
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In the case of the LPGA Tour, commissioner Craig Kessler certainly has some early wins, particularly on the broadcasting front.
The LPGA Tour appeared ready for new leadership and this helps Kessler press his agenda with little to no opposition. Ironically, he has a tour with almost too much depth. A different winner every week is a challenge in a star-driven sport.
The good news is that the influx of new and talented players is impressive. There is a desperate need for more top players from North America to emerge, but that is not something anyone can control as the LPGA Tour is rightfully a meritocracy.
As for [PGA Tour CEO] Brian Rolapp, his issues are more complex and long term. Can he settle the LIV issue? How does he manage the SSG investment/relationship? Future media rights will soon come up. Improving the fan experience and modernizing how golf is broadcasted are just a few of the other challenges facing him. It's a daunting task, but the game is fundamentally healthy, and this gives Rolapp a strong foundation to build upon.
In both cases, each appears to be the right person at the right time for their respective tours. In both cases there is reason to be optimistic.
Reid Farrill
Toronto, Ontario
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I think Craig Kessler has been and will be a great leader for the LPGA. The former leader did not do well, so it will be easier for him to succeed. I think he's everything they need and they like him.
As to Brian Rolapp, it appears to me that he is the general manager that the "investors" brought in to protect their money. He appears to be all about business and has a plan that he will stick to to make the PGA Tour strong and not sell out to the Saudis, but he isn't afraid to listen to them.
What I'm afraid of is what the PGA Tour will look like when he's finished. It probably will not resemble the Tour that we were used to and wish we still had. That is gone and a new product will replace it.
With competition from LIV, YouTube, blogs, etc. are all trying to get people watching and the revenue dollars that it brings in he might be just what the Tour needs. As this unfolds, the Tour may have to find a public relations manager who will be its face because, at this time, Rolapp seems uneasy with that part of the job.
Art Williams
Luzerne, Pennsylvania
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To tell you the truth, I have stopped reading any and all stories about leadership in golf. Jay Monahan was enough for me and I just don’t care anymore.
I would really like to just watch golf and stories about golf. I don’t want to know who ticked off Rory McIlroy again or who is joining LIV Golf or what Gary Player thinks of himself. Seriously?
Can't we just get back to watching golf and being impressed by how these men and women play instead of "how much they’re just like us"? Truthfully, they aren’t like us. They can do things with a golf ball that we only dream about. As far as how they treat their significant others ... I don’t care nor do I need to know. And the business side of golf? I don’t want to know that either.
I’m not a CEO and frankly, neither are you. We have no idea how difficult it is to run a large corporation. (Well, maybe some of us do.) But I would wager those who do run a large corporation, don’t want to know how the PGA Tour does it either.
Sheri Molyneaux
Salem, Oregon
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I change the channel when the reporters repeat and repeat and repeat Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda as being No. 1 in the world every second sentence, but the new girl on the block gets the No. 1 comment about every half hour, which is good. I don't need a reminder as I am not that simple to remember who is the world No. 1.
Bill Moreau
Almonte, Ontario
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It seems the PGA Tour is basically run by the player committee as it narrows fields and increase purses. As long as he stays on the right side of Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and Tiger Woods, things should go well.
The LPGA is another story. Purses rise and TV time is slotted, but crowds are incredibly sparse. There doesn’t seem to be big personalities that draw paying customers or many viewers. I don’t know what the commissioner can do, but I see that as the big issue. Seeing empty stands at majors is depressing.
Vinny Mooney
Poughkeepsie, New York
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