"I take full responsibility, and I sincerely apologize": LPGA Commissioner Addresses Controversy Surrounding TOC Decision - Golf Channel
LPGA Commissioner Craig Kessler has openly acknowledged his missteps following the contentious cancellation of the final round at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, which marked the start of the season.
Last weekend, Orlando, Florida, experienced freezing temperatures, leading the LPGA to make a decision around midday Sunday to cut the tournament short to just 54 holes. This was justified by the organization as necessary due to the lack of an "optimal competitive environment." However, this decision sparked considerable backlash because of unclear and inconsistent communication from the LPGA. They failed to clarify the specific reasons preventing the LPGA professionals from playing while celebrities were still allowed to complete nine holes. Furthermore, questions arose about why they couldn't simply extend the tournament into Monday, especially when improved weather conditions were predicted.
Celebrity golfer Annika Sorenstam expressed her confusion, stating, "I don’t know why they’re not playing," after the Lake Nona Golf and Country Club felt compelled to issue a clarification regarding the initial cancellation announcement: "Course conditions are not impacting play; weather conditions are the determining factor for competitive play to resume."
In the LPGA's follow-up statement released Sunday evening, they noted that the combination of frigid temperatures, windy conditions, shaded areas, and, in certain parts, hardened ground made it increasingly challenging to guarantee fair and consistent playing conditions. Yet, they sent eight players out at around 2 p.m. that same day to finish their third rounds, leaving many baffled as to why extending the event by another day was not an option, particularly since the LPGA's next competition is scheduled for February 19.
Amid this unfolding drama, the LPGA exacerbated the situation by not making its leadership readily available to reporters onsite on Sunday, aside from a brief appearance by Ricki Lasky, the LPGA’s chief tour business and operations officer, during an NBC Sports broadcast.
In a message directed to players, Kessler took full ownership of the situation, stating, "I made the decision to limit the event to 54 holes, worried that our athletes might be injured given the way record overnight low temperatures hardened the course. While this was a challenging choice and contradicted previous statements we made, I ultimately made a judgment call. In hindsight, it’s clear that there were various other avenues we should have explored to manage this issue more effectively. I recognize that this decision, among others made in real time, caused confusion and disappointment for our fans. Our communication regarding the decision lacked clarity and timeliness. Your frustration is completely valid – I accept that, and I am truly sorry."
Kessler pointed out two major areas for improvement:
• Creating clearer guidelines for making play decisions in difficult weather situations, including enhancing weekly contingency planning.
• Ensuring faster, clearer communication and better real-time updates.
He further told Golfweek that the LPGA was not adequately prepared for a Monday conclusion, something that hasn't occurred since 2020. "We were not fully equipped for a Monday finish," Kessler admitted. "Looking back, there are numerous innovative solutions that could have been implemented. We should have considered those options and been better prepared. Clearly, we were not."
Here’s the complete memo:
LPGA Athletes,
When I joined the LPGA last July, I emphasized that building trust with all stakeholders - including players, partners, fans, staff, and media - would be my top priority. This past weekend at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions put that trust to the test.
I made the choice to restrict the event to 54 holes due to concerns about potential injuries to our athletes as record low temperatures had hardened the course overnight. Even though this was a difficult decision that conflicted with prior communications, I made a judgment call. In hindsight, it’s evident that we could have approached the situation differently.
I understand that this choice, along with other decisions made on the fly, led to confusion and disappointment among our fans. Our communication surrounding these decisions was neither timely nor clear enough. Your frustrations are entirely justified - I take responsibility for this, and I apologize. We are already implementing measures to enhance our processes:
• Formulating clearer criteria for making play decisions amidst challenging conditions, which includes reinforcing our weekly contingency plans.
• Improving the speed and clarity of our communications, ensuring we provide better real-time information.
We extend our gratitude to the staff at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club for their exceptional efforts to prepare the course, as well as to our partners at Hilton Grand Vacations for going above and beyond to celebrate outstanding golf with their guests.
This tour is remarkable, with a bright future ahead. We may not achieve perfection, but we will be accountable, learn swiftly from our experiences, and continually strive to earn your trust.
Sincerely,
Craig Kessler, LPGA Commissioner
