LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan is committed to growing the LPGA's global footprint, building on the growth momentum of the women's game.
"I think there is tremendous interest in women's sports right now, and there's this fundamental shift in how people are viewing our athletes. Particularly in this part of the world, our athletes are not the other. They're the main show in many, many forums," said Marcoux Samaan during a press conference in Singapore last week while attending the HSBC Women's World Championship.
The ninth commissioner of the LPGA since its formation in 1950, officially succeeding Mike Whan last August, Marcoux Samaan stressed that they are fully engaged in exploring opportunities to travel to new territories. "We're a global tour and we're really proud of that, so we are always exploring different opportunities. Nothing that I can announce right now, but we certainly are fully engaged in those conversations ... and we love playing all over the world!
She lauded the emergence of more Asian talents, which has truly globalised the LPGA in terms of nationalities playing on tour. "That's why it's so fun looking down our leaderboard. It's not one country dominating!
"I do think the sport's growing everywhere. We're so proud of that, and I think we have a part in that. When you can put the women from different regions on the world stage, then it just inspires young girls to play, it inspires sponsors and people to get involved and to support what we're doing."
Prior to joining the LPGA, Marcoux Samaan was Ford Family Director of Athletics at her alma mater, Princeton University, since 2014. A multi-sport athlete who excelled in ice hockey, soccer and golf during her college days, she pursued a successful career in the sports industry which included being assistant athletic director at Lawrenceville School in New Jersey, and a 19-year career with Chelsea Piers Management which owns and operates two world-class sports complexes in New York and Connecticut. She progressed into senior management during her time at Chelsea Piers, becoming executive vice president of the 400,000-square foot Connecticut facility.
Marcoux Samaan paid tribute to the LPGA team for their commitment to growing the tour and the game. "And not just to allow women to live their dreams through golf, which is really what our overall mission is, but to inspire the world and empower people to see what greatness can look like and to see how the world can change ... particularly around women's sports and this mindset shift that women's sports are not just the other, but are a real formidable force of good in the world."
