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New CEO Mike Whan brings fresh ideas to the USGA after a decade-long stint as LPGA commissioner
by KEN KLAVON
On Mike Whan ’ s desk sits an axiom that serves as a beacon of enlightenment . It ’ s both profound and simple . “ Go farther , not faster .” This guiding principle has underscored various successes during his mainly
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harmonious 10-year reign as the LPGA commissioner .
“ There ’ s an old proverb that says if you want to go fast , go alone ,” says Whan . “ If you want to go far , go together .”
The 56-year-old Whan will certainly get that opportunity again , this time riding shotgun with the U . S . Golf Association .
On Feb . 17 , golf ’ s governing body within the United States and Mexico tapped Whan as its next top executive — only its eighth leader in the Association ’ s 127 years . He ’ ll replace outgoing CEO and Executive Director Mike Davis .
Last September , Davis made known his intention to leave the USGA sometime this year to pursue a course design partnership with Tom Fazio II . Whan announced in January he would be stepping down as the LPGA ’ s longest-tenured commissioner .
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THE PERFECT FIT
The timing of Whan ’ s resignation was merely coincidental , for no deal had been struck with the USGA and nothing in particular precipitated the move . For two years , he evaluated what his next step would be post-LPGA and started constructing an exit plan .
Last September , USGA President Stu Francis called Whan to casually gauge his interest in replacing Davis . Whan told him it was intriguing . The USGA , with the help of an outside search committee , assembled a candidates list and formally interviewed Whan in December . From that point , Whan ’ s selection as the next leader to oversee the $ 225-million non-profit crystallized .
“ We were looking for somebody who , frankly , is a very unique individual — strong golf acumen , strong golf expe-
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