NAPLES, Fla. – Craig Kessler, the 10th commissioner in the LPGA’s 75-year history, is the first to lead the tour without having met any of the remarkable 13 founders. As the tour celebrates its diamond jubilee, Kessler has the gas pedal down, digging one of the longest-running women’s sports organizations out of a hole one handshake at a time.
The 40-year-old father of three is on a crash course to learn all that he can about a tour born of talent, courage and grit, instilling a new sense of hope across all corners of the women’s game. He may not have met any of the founders, but he’s spent enough time around others who have – and watched the movie – to know the legacy that’s at stake.
“The 13 founders are some of the grittiest human beings I’ve ever read about, watched,” said Kessler. “They’re remarkable people. The battles that they fought to get a stage first nationally and eventually internationally; you will be inspired if you take a minute to listen to their stories.
“Grit is something to be proud of, but grit isn’t necessarily as powerful as grit with collaboration at the same time.”…