The LPGA’s regular season finally tees off this week in Hawaii amidst much ado -- a well-publicized resignation, a somewhat shocking divorce, a transsexual admission, and a collective face that seemingly gets younger by the day.

Even if these LPGA revelations sound like a reality TV show, and “The Bachelorette’’ and “Extreme Makeover’’ do come to mind, it’s more like “Desperate Housewives’’ meets the “Young and the Restless,’’ with a little golf on the side.

Strange and unusual, to say the least, the LPGA will have trouble living up to the preseason hype. But when your television ratings suffer constantly, as the LPGA’s have for years, why not a little controversy if it spices up the girls?

Actually, the LPGA’s commissioner, a guy named Ty Votaw, got things rolling a month ago when he announced he would step down as the LPGA’s leader at the end of this season. No one could figure out just why Ty-Vo, as he is affectionately called, was calling it quits after seven years.

Was it because he planned to marry one of his players -- long-time girlfriend Sophie Gustafson? Did the players finally mount a united front to oust him? Why at the end of the season rather than right now? Will the women finally hire a female as their next commissioner?

None of the above can be answered with credibility, but it sure makes for some interesting copy. As does the announcement two weeks ago that Annika Sorenstam is getting a divorce from David Esch after eight years of marriage.

The division of the union, which was initiated and confirmed by Sorenstam, raised eyebrows, as the two had seemed inseparable up until a few months ago. And besides, Annika doesn’t have a lot of friends on tour after winning 56 times. That’s why the SuperSwede immediately set sail for Hawaii, to spend some time in seclusion with younger sister Charlotta. That the elder Sorenstam didn’t stick around to play in this week’s season-opener . . . well, it’s always been “me first’’ with Annika.

As if circumstances surrounding Votaw and Sorenstam weren’t enough media fodder, the Ladies Golf Union of Europe announced that transsexual golfers will be allowed to play in this year’s Weetabix Women’s British Open, an official LPGA event. Not to be outdone, Votaw promptly replied that the LPGA also was considering such a move.

This is funny stuff, because there’s only one transsexual with any type of game, so to speak. That’s Mianne Bagger, the first guy to ever have surgery in an effort to get to the forward tees. Obviously, this story has limited interest, even if it is getting plenty of play in the British tabloids.

Wait, we’re not through. How about this news item: 18-year-old Paul Creamer wins the LPGA qualifying school tournament by five shots, and promptly becomes the “Pink Panther,’’ a tribute to her favorite color. That’s right, move over 14-year-old Michelle Wie and 18-year-old sisters Naree and Aree Song, as there’s yet another new face on the LPGA marquee. And Creamer has the game and the looks to become the brightest star of this new and expanding galaxy, or at least that’s what Taylor Made, Odyssey, adiddas, Polo, Titlelist, ADT and -- believe it or not! -- Pink Panther Grips are gambling on.

Now, here is the really good news: All of the aforementioned will be at the Safeway International when it unfolds May 17-20 at Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club in Gold Canyon. Votaw never misses this tournament, and Sorenstam is the defending champion. And, yes, Wie has been granted yet another sponsor’s exemption, although Creamer is about to upstage the Big Wiesy as the best storyline.

Always a strong field, the Safeway International announced this week that the top 50 money-winners from 2004 have committed. And last week, another youngster gained entrance into the tournament, when Arizona State’s 19-year-old Louise Stahle (the next Swedish standout?) won an amateur qualifer with a 4-under 68 on the very Prospector Course used for the tournament.

Personally, I haven’t been this psyched up for the local LPGA event since Laura Davies won the tournament four consecutive times (1994-97) and was going for an all-time record fifth. To its credit, the LPGA has taken “colorful’’ to new heights, and even if it’s not all flattering, any publicity is good publicity in its struggle for recognition.