Bivens resigns LPGA post

Carolyn Bivens resigned as LPGA Tour commissioner Monday, bowing to pressure from players upset about the organization’s economic woes and her leadership.

Marsha Evans, a retired Navy rear admiral who also has led the American Red Cross and Girl Scouts of the USA, will be interim commissioner until the LPGA’s board of directors finds a replacement.

Bivens’ departure was not a surprise. A group of players wrote a letter last week to the tour’s board calling for her to quit. “We reached a point which made it difficult for Carolyn herself to see herself going forward and being able to lead in this environment,” board Chairwoman Dawn Hudson said.

Bivens’ four-year tenure was plagued with difficulties and controversies. The tour has lost seven tournaments since 2007, and last year Bivens was widely criticized when she proposed an English-only policy for tour players. It was never instituted. The LPGA includes 121 international players from 26 countries, including 45 from South Korea.

Evans has limited experience in professional golf; she began serving on the LPGA board only this year. The LPGA Tour also has appointed former star Annika Sorenstam as an advisor to its board.