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Yikes: A Noose on the Cover

Published

16 years ago

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Talk about hoist with one’s own petard; "There was a great deal of debate over it," Golfweek editor Dave Seanor told the San Diego Union-Tribune. "But it was the news of the week, no question about it. That’s what everybody in the game is talking about."  I’m not sure who Mr. Seanor was talking to, I discussed it earlier on these pages, but have since left it alone because in the grand scheme of things it was a small deal.  A slip of the tongue during a live television event, these things happen, and everyone including Tiger Woods and commissioner Tim Finchem were willing to move on to more important things. Nobody I know has discussed this in a while other than to ponder how awkward Ms. Tilghman’s return to the booth would be for her and Golf Channel viewers.

"Was it an arresting image? Yes, it was," Seanor told USA Today. "We chose it because it was an image we thought would draw attention to an issue we thought deserved some intelligent dialogue."  And the way to intelligent debate is to picture the prefered method of killing used by the Klu Klux Klan?  To even attribute the word intelligent to the decision making process involved in the choice to run this cover leads me to wonder if these folks can define intelligent. Certainly the cover led me right to the idea of debate about free speech and race, .  First thing that comes to mind when I see that noose hangin’ there. Mr. Seanor should be arrested for even thinking of such an idea.  I certainly hope he was on drugs at the time he came up with this dandy of an idea ,  because  if his brain wasn’t addled by drugs then he thinks this way normally.  Another scary thought, that.

What Kelly Tilghman said was insensitive and unfunny but off the cuff. What Golfweek’s editors did, while also insensitive and unfunny, was premeditated in an effort to create some controversy.  Somehow I think Mr. Seanor got more than he bargained for, since he’s newly joined the ranks of the unemployed.  Nobody will remember Ms. Tilghman’s gaff, but this cover won’t soon be forgotten. 

So what was the point, who’s caught in that noose anyway?  Golf Channel because it eventually suspended her after the story became an issue? No not at I discovered after reading the editorial content. This is meant to be a rant against Rev. Al Sharpton because after his voice came out in favor of taking Ms. Tilghman’s job,  her employer suspended her for two weeks.  I’ll let you read the editorial content concerning Rev. Sharpton and decide what you think,: here are quotes from it’s content…"… the loudest voice often sets the agenda, regardless of how informed or accountable that voice may be."  So this would make him uninformed and unaccountable in a very loud way.  Hmmm.  Then later comes this, "Regardless of how one feels about the shrill voice of the Rev. Al Sharpton, he wields enormous influence."  Shrill he is, um really.  Apparently the Rev Sharpton is not someone they hold in high esteem at Golfweek.  So about this time I’m starting to get the idea that this isn’t about golf at all.  Nor is it about the lack of integration in golf.  No sir, what this is about is that demon "Political Correctness", which is apparently best addressed in a golf magazine because it is a monster so out of control we need to stick a noose on our cover and bash Al Sharpton.  Puddin’ heads pure and simple.  It’s a sad sad day for golf and golf journalism when this is how we think to stimulate intelligent discussion. 

I’ve never claimed to be clever, nor very bright, only opinionated and openminded enough to listen to an argument before I decide it’s merit.  If you want to have an intelligent discussion about race in golf, do so with the dignity of Golfworld, who’s cover this week shows a picture of Bill Spiller and tell’s his story of trying to break the PGA tour’s color line.  Even I understand how this approach can get one thinking about race and free speech, unfairness and the sadness that accompany it uncomfortably throughout the recent past.  There is no place for such offensiveness in a dialogue, that’s just name calling,  and no possibility of dialogue begun in an aggressively insensitive manner.  The boys at Golfweek should be ashamed, they’ve hoist themselves,  quite publically indeed.

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5 Comments

  1. Scott

    Jan 20, 2008 at 8:19 pm

    I personally am tired of the overreaction to each and every comment that is of ill regard (intentional or other). The senstitivity of the population as a whole has made everyone a victim of sorts. Everyone can make issue of something each day that is repulsive, or sensitive to ones feelings. It is people like the highly esteemed Rev Al (currently being investigated for fed. racketeering) that highlights the obvious ill spoken words without regard.
    To be honest what is the difference between a rape victim and the media’s nightly newscasts bringing light to these actions by of others. It brings up reminders that the victims obviously don’t want to relive.
    My point is we need to get a little thicker skinned and not take a personal attack to off the cuff insensitive comments. I don’t fault Tilgman – she obviously didnt mean it in a derogitory manner.
    Golfweek – I really dont fault them. Insensitive… yes. But as I said above, that is the media. It just happens that for some it is easier to brush off, and for others it seems that they can’t move on.

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  2. Todd

    Jan 20, 2008 at 8:50 am

    Thankfully seanor is gone,but i question the upper ranks from golf week,,didn’t they think about how this issue would be perceived from golf readers and the general population alike,,they should have let it pass,,just like Tiger did, the fine,fine young man that he is.Unfortunatley Ms Tilgmans mistake of a remark will more than likely not be forgotten for some time thanks to golf weeks publication of this article and the rev. al sharpton who by the way probably woudn’t have said a thing if Kelly was of a different color..

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  3. Ryan

    Jan 20, 2008 at 5:31 am

    This is terrible, yes the cover caught my attention but in a bad way. It is bad enough Kelly Tilghman had to have a two week suspension from the golf channel and now GolfWeek magazine continues the Kelly Tilghman slip out ACCIDENT by putting a noose on the cover. The media should just leave her alone, she apologized to Tiger Woods and Tiger accepted her apology, that is done. There should be no more talk about what happened that day. GolfWeek magazine is just making things worst. In addition, the cover they chose for GolfWeek’s magazine is a nightmare. That picture offends people and it brings back bad memories. I can’t believe how GolfWeek could even think of choosing a cover like that.

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  4. habana

    Jan 19, 2008 at 2:28 pm

    Kelly spoke without thinking. Golfweek had a week to think about this cover. Both were wrong, but tell me which is worse.

    Reply Report comment

  5. John

    Jan 19, 2008 at 11:25 am

    Mr. Seanor should have lost his job! The way to deal with people like Al Sharpton, publicity whores who will jump on any media opportunity to flog themselves, is to ignore them. Take the higher ground. You can editorialize, but for Golfweek to take this step, to attempt to profit off of what was really a minor slip on Kelly Tilghman’s part, is reprehensible. Golfweek can forget about my subscription.

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5 Things We Learned: Saturday at the Masters

Published

12 hours ago

on

Apr 13, 2024

By

Just as the honorary starters broke our hearts with the reality of ageing, so too, did Saturday, with the revelation that third-round Tiger Woods is not yet (if ever) what he once was. The great champion struggled mightily to an 82, tied with three others for high round of the day. Among the top ten, the worst score posted was DeChambeau’s 75, but the large Californian remains in the hunt. Day four will see 2022 champion Scottie Scheffler pair with Collin Morikawa in the final game. In front of them will be Max Homa and Ludwig Åberg. The antipenultimate pairing will feature DeChambeau and Xander Schauffele.

If you look at the one-off major winners, most took advantage of their only chance at grand slam glory. For golfers like Homa, Schauffele, and others, Sunday the 14th might represent their best and only chance at claiming a major title. For Scheffler, Morikawa, and DeChambeau, the ability to join the two-time and three-time, major winners club holds great appeal. Finally, a young’un like Åberg seeks to jump-start a more-than-tour-winner career with a major title. Many of the greats won them early, and the Swede from Texas Tech would love nothing more than a chance to join that company.

Sunday at Augusta, as always, will be riveting. It will provide hope throughout the first nine holes, then gut many a competitor’s heart coming home, rewarding just one with a new item for the wardrobe. Plan your menu and choose your outfit. Masters 2024 is about to conclude. Until then, let’s reveal five things that we learned on day three of the year’s first men’s major.

1. The three most critical holes on the first nine are …

numbers four through six. You might make some birdies at the first and last trios of holes, but the middle triumvirate of fairways and greens determines your day. Play them even par or better, and you’ll lose zero shots to the field. Get on a downward spiral of slightly-wayward shots, and recovery will be nigh impossible. Anyone who makes three at the fifth, as Tiger Woods did on Saturday, will get giddy.

2. The three most important holes on the second nine are …

ten through twelve. We realize that we commit heresy by omitting one of Herbert Warren Wind’s Amen Corner traces, but par or better is critical at 10. Dry landings at 11 and 12 set the competitor up for two par fives in three holes, sandwiched around a straightforward, par-four hole. Remember when Ben Crenshaw began his march to glory in 1995? It all started with birdie at the 10th.

3. The most interesting and efficient round of day three came from …

Collin Morikawa. Birdies at the first three holes, followed by bogey-birdie at six and eight, then ten consecutive pars to finish off the second-low round of the day. Morikawa has improved each day, from 71 to 70 to 69. He has won majors in England and California. He has the temperment for this sort of day, but will certainly be in the hottest of all cauldrons around 3 pm on Sunday.

4. The guy who lost the most ground on day three was …

Nikolai Hojgaard. The dude failed to make par from the seventh green to the 16th. After three consecutive birdies around the turn (8 through 10), the Great Dane tumbled to earth with five consecutive bogeys. 11 and 12, we understand, but 13 and 15 are par-five holes, for goodness sake! No matter where he finds himself on day four’s back nine, it will be hard to put that stretch of golf out of his mind.

5. Our pick for the green jacket is …

impossible to nail. We suspect that certain players should and could perform on Sunday. We remember when Retief Goosen, a great US Open winner until round four of 2005, lost his mojo. We recall days when Rich Beam and Y.E. Yang pulled major titles away from Tiger Woods. Things go wrong on Sunday, and they go wrong super-quick at Augusta.

We’ve decided to ascend Mount Olympus for our Sunday selection. Who better than the 2021 Olympic champion to add a long-awaited, first major title. It’s Professor X for us: Xander Schauffele.

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5 Things We Learned: Friday at the Masters

Published

23 hours ago

on

Apr 13, 2024

By

You don’t see leaves on the ground at Augusta National. The grounds crew and superintendent’s staff take care of those sorts of things, so that both course appearance and consistency of play are preserved at the top tier. We saw leaves on the ground today and, given the force and perseverance of the wind, we’re lucky that we didn’t see tree trunks along the fairways. We did see higher scores than secured in round one, and some of the three- and four-hole stretches were downright inconceivable. The cut after 36 holes came at six over par, and five dozen golfers reached the weekend of play. Numbers always define the story of a tournament, and we’ll let them define the five things we learned on day two of the 2024 Masters tournament.

One: 60 + 10

Sixty golfers posted scores of 148 or better through 36 holes, to reach weekend play. Ten more golfers posted 149 and missed the cut by a single stroke. The ones who missed the cut by a stroke included former champions Mike Weir, Zach Johnson, and Sergio Garcia. Also among the brood were current US Open champion Wyndham Clark, and Nick Dunlap, who won on the PGA Tour as an amateur in January, and subsequently turned professional. Of the ones who survived by the slimmest of margins, surviving to the weekend were former champions Jose Maria Olazabal, Hideki Matsuyama, and Adam Scott, along with Rickie Fowler and Tom Kim. Golf’s cut is a cruel and unconcerned blade, and each Masters tournament reminds us of this fact.

Two: One

The number of amateurs to make the cut in the 2024 Masters is solitary. His name is Neil Shipley, and most folks love him. He wears his hair to the shoulder, and appears to have the proper balance of intensity and chill. Shipley opened with 71, then held on for 76 on day two. He made the cut by three shots, and will collect his share of hardware on Sunday. It’s safe to say that Shipley will turn his attention to learning the course, as well as his own self under pressure.

Three: 23

For most sorts fans, 23 recalls the greatest NBA player of all time, Michael Jordan. For Justin Thomas, it’s a number that will haunt him for a long time. Thomas reached tee number fifteen on Friday at even par. The two-time PGA Champion played the subsequent, four-hole stretch in 23 shots, missing the cut by a shot. On fifteen, he went for the green in two, in some sort of halfhearted manner. He got wet with shot number two, went long with his pitch, and three-putted from the fringe. On sixteen, he played away from safety and found elevated sand. His blast went down the hill, and he missed his approach putt in the wrong place. On seventeen, he missed his drive right and his approach long, and lost another shot to par. The coup de grace took place on the home hole: drive so horribly left that he had to pitch out to the fairway and hit three metal into the green. His third double bogey in four holes dropped him all the way to 151 and plus seven. Among the many questions, the foremost one was why he dropped his longtime caddy on the eve of a major championship. Surely Bones would have saved him one of those shots, and perhaps more.

Four: Forty-Nine divided by five or six

Tiger Woods cannot possibly win title number six at Augusta in his 49th year, can he? Not on this broken body, and not from seven strokes behind, right? Not with so few competitive rounds over the most recent months, and not one year removed from a third-round withdrawal from this very tournament. Well, if he cannnot possibly win, allow us to dream and hope a bit, and hold on to a fantasy.

Five: 3 that we like

We like Scottie Scheffler, of course. He seems to have a sense of Augusta National, and he was able to hold on in 2023 for the championship. We like Nikolai Hojgaard, because he might have just the proper combination of naivete and experience for a first-time winner. Finally, we like Collin Morikawa, a winner of two separate major titles. Winning at Augusta National requires a certain amount of length, unless you putt lights out. Morikawa might be embedded in one of those putting weeks.

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5 things we learned: Thursday at the Masters

Published

2 days ago

on

Apr 11, 2024

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The rains came early at Augusta, just as they did in Buffalo. The distinguishing factor was, they had a tournament to start in Augusta. Folks in Buffalo simply went to work, and paid attention to the clouds in north Georgia. By ten o’clock, the skies had cleared enough to begin play. Honorary tee shots were hit, and competitive play began. The delay assured that some of the afternoon groups would not sign scorecards on Thursday evening. Instead, they would rise early for completion of play, then turn right back around and go out for round two.

Round one was filled with the usual characteristics of major championship golf. A pair of golfers shot low rounds, with no guarantee that either would be able to preserve the blistering pace. Others gave shots inexplicably away, on the most confounding of holes, to push themselves away from the dream of the green jacket. Others played solid if unspectacular golf, to maintain the top of the board in sight. Finally, some held to a preserver for dear life, finding a way to stay within shouting distance of the leaders.

With that little bit of tease to lead us in, let’s get straight to the five things that we learned on Thursday at the Masters.

One: Can a horse be a horse for a course, for more than one round?

Both Bryson DeChambeau and Scottie Scheffler have plenty of successful memories ’round the Augusta National course. Scheffle owns the ultimate prize, the 2022 green jacket, while DeChambeau was low amateur in 2016. That’s where the similarities end, however. DeChambeau has never finished higher than that low-am T21, while Scheffler has never finished outside the top 20 in four starts. DeChambeau has had fits of brilliance over the MacKenzie hills, but Scheffler is the one with four-round history.

While it seems unlikely the DeChambeau will miss the cut for a third consecutive time, the question of his ability to put rounds together remains. On Thursday, DeChambeau notched eight birdies on the day, and stumbled for bogey just once, at the ninth hole. For much of the day, he held a multi-shot lead over former champion Danny Willett, until Scheffler finished fast, with birdies at 12, 13, 15, and 16. His 66 brought him within one shot of the leader. Scheffler went without a bogey on the day, and ensured that DeChambeau would have much to consider over the night’s sleep.

Two: Find a way to hang around

Rory McIlroy never looked like he had his best stuff on Thursday. Three bogeys on the day, including one at the gettable second hole, had him steaming. Unlike prior years, when his not-best stuff led to mid-70s numbers, Roars was able to four birdies along the way. His 71 won’t win any crystal, but it will keep him in the tournament. Does he need a 67 on Friday? Absolutely.

Will Zalatoris plays Augusta National as well as anyone. Eagles and birdies are always on the table for the young Texan. He reached four-under par at the 15th, but closed with two bogies for 70. Without the shot that you see below, he may never have found the mojo needed to reach minus-four. Moral of the story: find a way to get in the house with a number.

Three: When you do things like this, find a way to keep it together!

The leaders’ board was filled with golfers like Ryan Fox (five-under through 12, inexplicable bogey at 13, finished minus-three), Erik Van Rooyen (minus-four through 13, only to close with three bogeys to finish one deep) Viktor Hovland (four below through nine, double at ten, one below at day’s end) and Matt Fitzpatrick (four deep through 13, three bogeys coming home.) What keeps these golfers from going deeper under par, or at least preserving their successful stature? It’s usually greed or the razor’s edge. There are too-safe places on the greens of Augusta, but there are always properly-safe areas, from where a two-putt is a probablility. In the case of most of these golfers, they either went at flags and short-sided themselves (leading to bogey) or tried to preserve their position, and landed in the three-putt zone.

Four: How could you do this?

Rickie Fowler  at 76, alongside Hideki Matsuyama. Guys, there were plenty of birdies out there! How could you manage to avoid them, and instead, stockpile the bogeys? Well, at least Hideki has a green jacket already, and at least Rickie has some crystal from Wednesday. Odds are that one of them will post 68 on Friday and make the cut.

Five: Which golfers do we hope to see finish strong?

With plenty of round-one action left for Friday morning, we’ve scanned the board and determined that Nicolai Højgaard looks pretty good at five-under through fifteen. We’ll take three pars. We expect one birdie. We’d love to see two or three birdies coming home. Yup, we’re greedy!

Max Homa bounced back from bogey at 12 with birdie at 13, to get back to four under par. We have the same expectations for the California kid: lots of birdies coming home. We have our eyes on a couple of guys at minus-one, and then there’s Tyrrell Hatton at three-deep, along with Ludvig Åberg at minus-two. Plenty of golf left for first-round positioning. Set your alarm for early and don’t miss a single shot!

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