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.