LPGA Gets New Commissioner
Jim Ritts resigned Friday as commissioner of the LPGA and was replaced by Ty Voltaw, who becomes the fifth leader of the women’s pro golf tour in the last 11 years.
Ritts, who succeeded Charlie Mechem 3 1/2 years ago, accepted a job as chief operating officer for Digital Entertainment Network Inc., of Santa Monica, which produces and distributes television-quality programming for the Internet.
“I spent four weeks trying to figure out how to say no and I just thought I couldn’t stay on the sidelines,” Ritts said.
Voltaw moves up from his post as the LPGA’s vice president of business affairs.
During his tenure, Ritts oversaw an increase in the LPGA’s television coverage from 19 events to 33 in 1998, a growth in the number of tournaments from 36 to 43, and a 50% boost in tournament purses to $36.2 million.
Also during his tenure, however, there was a high rate of turnover in the LPGA’s front office and Ritts had to fight to keep title sponsors on board.
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