When the topic is affairs of the heart, eyebrows are
often raised. Toss in power, celebrity, divorce and a younger woman
and the ingredients are on the table to raise more than just eyebrows,
but full-blown suspicion.
Recently, LPGA Tour commissioner Ty Votaw, 41, went completely public
with the news that he and his separated wife, Paula, would soon be
divorced and that he had been dating LPGA Tour player Sophie Gustafson,
29, for several months.
Votaw did not go public in the usual fashion, say, with a hastily-called
press conference or through the myriad of media channels. Instead,
he initiated the issue during a teleconference with the playing members
of the LPGA board of directors the week of the season-opening Welch's/Fry's
Championship.
Granted, many of the players knew already as word tends to spread
amongst players. But that Votaw chose to address the issue in a straightforward
manner instead of opting out for any number of ridiculous options --
no comment and complete denial being two of the more egregious choices
-- is a credit to him as a high-profile industry leader and as a person.
Divorce is never an easy issue, especially in the public eye. Toss
in a third party before the ink is dry on the final papers and speculation
is sure to abound.
When word began to circulate of the Votaw-Gustafson relationship,
which, according to Votaw, blossomed late last year (Votaw and his
wife have reportedly separated for over a year), the issue could have
easily made media circus rounds. Golf World reported on the two attending
the Super Bowl last January and then both Golf World and Sports Illustrated
followed up on Votaw's addressing the board.
Since the reporting of these events, the issue appears to have run
its course - or at least until the line has been crossed. Annika Sorenstam's
decision to play the PGA Tour's Bank of America Colonial is the talk
of virtually every media room and asked of every player on tour; the
Votaw-Gustafson issue is not.
The six players on the Tour board, as well as the players who make
up the LPGA Tour, could easily have blown this issue into more than
it needed to be. Votaw has assured the players he can differentiate
between personal and professional, and there is no reason not to believe
him and give him a fair chance.
As well, this is not the normal employer-employee love affair. Votaw
answers to the 14 person LPGA board and could be removed at its discretion.
Gustafson is not an employee of the LPGA Tour, but essentially a contractor
who has chosen to play the tour the past five years.
To liken this situation to a company president having an intimate
relationship with an employee is completely off the mark. Many companies
throughout this country stipulate that an employee under the direct
supervision cannot date or be married - and, to an extent, for good
reason. But like many rules there are gray areas, as the worst cannot
be expected of every relationship.
Votaw has been a driving force behind the Tour's growing success
in these difficult economic times, and he appears to have had the players'
best interest with each decision. He has sought the players' input
and attempted to deliver a better product. He has said he would excuse
himself of any decision or vote that would directly impact Gustafson.
In short, he has done his job in a professional manner.
"What he does in his personal life is his business as long as it
doesn't affect the way he does his job," LPGA Hall of Famer Amy Alcott
told Golf World. "Let's face it, these things happen."
Now, if only all affairs of the heart could be so simple as this
one appears to be.
