Bivens, the LPGA Tour commissioner, said she "encourages" players to use handheld devices to post content on social-media Web sites such as Twitter or Facebook during tournaments, even if it runs counter to golf etiquette.It’s part of her plan to have more interaction between players, fans and sponsors as the tour deals with the recession and searches for new tournament backers.
"I'd love it if players Twittered during the middle of a round," Bivens said in an interview today in New York. "The new media is very important to the growth of golf and we view it as a positive, and a tool to be used."
Reaction around the golf blogosphere and on sports talk radio was pretty negative, although there were a few defenders of the idea as a very forward-thinking bit of marketing by an organization that needs to think outside-the-box.
And there are quite a few LPGA players on Twitter. Some of them (Christina Kim, I'm looking at you) "tweet" every few minutes, it sometimes seems. So would those LPGA players embrace the idea of posting social media updates, or would they balk at doing something like that in the middle of a competition?
Today - on Twitter, of course - Paula Creamer offered this unequivocal declaration:
"I will not be twittering in my round. It should not happen in any sport. The players have already told the tour no way."
So there you have it, from the mouth - or at least the keyboard - of Paula Creamer. LPGA players just say no to in-round Twittering.
What do you say: Was Bivens' suggestion a brilliant, forward-thinking idea; or was it a terrible one that would undermine the integrity of the competition?
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Comments
The suggestion by Bivens shows how little she cares or understands about the integrity of the game. It is perhaps the most disgraceful idea from any Commissioner of a Pro sports. She should resign, be fired but one way or another she shoulld be replaced.
Not only is it an idiotic suggestion from Bivens, but yet another in a long series of idiotic moves from her (ridiculous media restrictions, bigoted English policy last year, etc.) She has been a complete disaster as Commissioner. The LPGA that Ty Votaw bequeathed to her was a strong brand growing stronger, and what Bivens has done with it in the 4 short years since is nothing less than a disgrace. Granted the economy has played its role as well, but even with that, the LPGA is much worse off for her efforts. She should absolutely go, as soon as possible.
What a stupid idea! Thank god for Paula Creamer keeping the games integrity. Just one more reason she’s a shining star. Go Paula!