DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Feb. 14, 2005 – The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) has enlisted the services of Heidrick & Struggles, a preeminent global executive recruiting firm, to assist the organization in finding a successor for outgoing Commissioner Ty M. Votaw. Votaw announced his resignation last month and will remain with the LPGA through 2005 to ensure an orderly leadership transition.
"Heidrick & Struggles is one of the leading search firms in the world with extensive experience in sports entertainment and business," said Heather Daly-Donofrio, president of the LPGA Tour, a member of the LPGA Board of Directors and co-chair of the Search Committee. "We are very pleased to have Heidrick & Struggles on board and are confident that their expertise will strengthen our search to find the best candidate to lead the LPGA."
Chicago-based Heidrick & Struggles will work closely with the LPGA Search Committee to implement a comprehensive screening process to identify qualified potential candidates and will assist with potential candidate interviews, reference checking and evaluations.
"Heidrick & Struggles is one of the best search firms in the world with an impeccable reputation for finding top talent for major corporations and leading brands all over the world," said Marguerite Sallee, chairman of the LPGA Board of Directors. "The LPGA is very pleased to have Heidrick & Struggles on board to ensure our search for the LPGA's next commissioner is as comprehensive, expeditious and fruitful as possible. The LPGA is enjoying one of its most prosperous times ever with fan interest on the rise, purses at all time highs and the talent and star power levels of LPGA Tour players exploding. Heidrick & Struggles' participation reinforces the LPGA's prominent position in sports entertainment and assures that we will find the best individual to lead the LPGA and capitalize on the organization's recent success."
Upon Votaw's announcement on Jan. 7 that the 2005 season would be his last as commissioner, the LPGA Board of Directors finalized a Search Committee to identify qualified candidates for the association's next commissioner: co-chairs Daly-Donofrio and Rae Forker Evans, LPGA Board of Director; LPGA Board of Directors Patti Benson, Dawn Hudson and Charles S. Mechem Jr., commissioner emeritus of the LPGA; and LPGA Tour players Beth Daniel, Laura Davies, Lorie Kane, and Deb Richard. LPGA Tournament Sponsors Association President Jack Benjamin and LPGA Tour member Judy Dickinson are serving on the Search Committee in ex-officio non-voting capacity.
About Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. is the world's premier provider of senior-level executive search and leadership consulting services, including talent management, board building, executive on boarding and M&A effectiveness. For more than 50 years, the company has focused on quality service and built strong leadership teams through its relationships with clients and individuals worldwide. Today, Heidrick & Struggles leadership experts operate from principal business centers in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific. For more information, please visit www.heidrick.com.
About Ladies Professional Golf Association
Featuring the world's best women golfers, the LPGA's membership includes touring, teaching and club professionals. The LPGA Tour in 2005 features 34 events, with total prize money of $45 million. Since 1981, the LPGA and its tournaments have raised approximately $160 million for charity. From the dreams of its 13 founders in 1950, the LPGA has evolved into the world's preeminent women's professional sports organization. The LPGA has grown from its roots as a playing tour into a non-profit organization involved in every facet of golf.
The LPGA Teaching and Club Professional (T&CP) membership boasts a total of nearly 1,200 women golf professionals who serve as teachers, golf professionals, club managers and coaches. Through the LPGA T&CP membership, the LPGA is working to increase the involvement of women and youth in golf, as well as contribute to the growth of the sport overall. The LPGA is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla.
For more information on the LPGA, log on to www.LPGA.com.
Contact:
Connie Wilson, LPGA
386-274-6271
Laura Neal, LPGA
386-274-6278
