Opinion & Analysis
Bishop’s exit clears way for eradication of sexism in golf
On Thursday, newly ex-PGA of America President Ted Bishop responded to criticism Ian Poulter levied against Nick Faldo in Poulter’s new book, first by calling Poulter a “lil girl” in a now-deleted post on Twitter, and subsequently elaborating that insult with a Facebook post that likened Poulter to “a little school girl squealing during recess.” Some 24 hours later, the PGA stripped Bishop of his title with only a month before he was to surrender it to another.
By swiftly and decisively removing Bishop from his post, the PGA of America has made the statement that they, at least, support a notion that is long overdue for acceptance as obvious in American society — that women are equal to men. By likening Poulter to a girl or a woman in order to insult him, Bishop implicitly supported the draconian view that women are somehow lesser beings than men.
As Bishop might say: “C’MON MAN!”
Bishop’s high-profile ouster from the PGA of America indicates that the organization believes that the days of men getting away with insulting men by likening them to women should be over. If the PGA is going to stand by the statement made by its actions Friday, it needs to keep hammering away at the notion that women are indeed welcome in golf.
This whole affair represents a very real opportunity for golf to make some headway in its current major struggle: growth of the game. Women make up less than one-fifth of all American golfers, according to National Golf Foundation statistics. Is it any wonder that their numbers are so small when the overriding atmosphere of the game is one of male dominance? If women played 50 percent more rounds of golf than they currently do, the game would be markedly healthier. Given the size of the potential pool of new women golfers, that number is not at all unrealistic.
Augusta National Golf Club accepted its first female members in 2012, and the R&A voted to follow suit just last month. With Friday’s decision, whether it planned to or not, the PGA very publicly embraced a trend in golf. Maybe it’s time for an update of the succinct, effective “I Swing Like A Girl” ad from the USGA.
But where do we go from here? How do we, avid golfers, help this effort?
A nice start would be to eliminate sexist statements from male golf chatter.
- “Nice shot, grandma.”
- “Try not to trip over your skirt on your way off the green.”
- “GOLF: Gentlemen Only, Ladies Forbidden.”
- “Hit it, Alice!”
- “Does your husband play golf?
I don’t have children, but if I have a daughter one day, I would like for her to feel comfortable learning to love golf, to feel like a golf course is a place where she belongs. One way to ensure that future is to train the current and future generations of male golfers to seriously accept girls and women as equals. Here’s hoping the PGA of America and other male golfers want the same.
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19th Hole
Vincenzi’s 2024 Memorial Tournament betting preview: Collin Morikawa to reign supreme at Jack’s place
The PGA Tour heads to Jack’s place to play the 2024 edition of the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday. The Memorial is regarded as one of the most prestigious non-majors of the PGA Tour season, and for the second consecutive year the tournament will be a “Signature Event”.
Muirfield Village Golf Club is a 7,571-yard par-72 located in Dublin, Ohio that features Bentgrass greens. A Jack Nicklaus design, the course was built in 1974 and redesigned by Nicklaus in 2020. The course can play extremely difficult due to its long rough and lightning-fast greens.
The Memorial Tournament will play host to 80 golfers this week, which is down from 120 last year. The top 50 and ties will make the cut. Being a designated event, the field is predictably stacked and will feature most of the biggest stars on Tour. All eligible players have committed to the event in addition to sponsor’s exemptions Matt Kuchar, Brandt Snedeker and Billy Horschel.
Past Winners at the Memorial Tournament
- 2023: Viktor Hovland (-7)
- 2022: Billy Horschel (-13)
- 2021: Patrick Cantlay (-13)
- 2020: Jon Rahm (-9)
- 2019: Patrick Cantlay (-19)
- 2018: Bryson DeChambeau (-15)
- 2017: Jason Dufner (-13)
- 2016: William McGirt (-15)
Key Stats for Muirfield Village
Let’s take a look at five key metrics for Muirfield Village to determine which golfers boast top marks in each category over their last 24 rounds.
1. Strokes Gained: Approach
Jack Nicklaus designs all have one thing in common: They reward the best iron players on Tour. When designing Muirfield Village, Jack created a second-shot golf course that strongly benefited golfers who could really dial in their approach shots. With that in mind, does it surprise anyone that Tiger Woods won this event five times?
Strokes Gained: Approach Over Past 24 Rounds
- Scottie Scheffler (+1.37)
- Corey Conners (+1.14)
- Xander Schauffele (+1.14)
- Sepp Straka (+0.88)
- Rory McIlroy (+0.88)
2. Strokes Gained: Ball Striking
Strokes Gained: Ball Striking does include approach, but if there is any week to overemphasize Strokes Gained: Approach, this is the week. The statistic also incorporates Strokes Gained: Off the Tee, which will be important considering the rough at Muirfield Village can be exceedingly penal.
Strokes Gained: Ball Striking Over Past 24 Rounds
- Scottie Scheffler (+2.48)
- Xander Schauffele (+1.88)
- Rory McIlroy (+1.60)
- Ludvig Aberg (+1.56)
- Corey Conners (+1.42)
3. Good Drive %
Driving the ball well will be an important factor. Bombing it off the tee is not a requirement at Muirfield Village, but distance always helps. The rough can get very long, and golfers who can’t put the ball in the fairway will fall out of contention quickly. Balanced and consistent drivers of the golf ball should be the targets this week.
Good Drive % Over Past 24 Rounds
- Collin Morikawa (+88.1%)
- Tom Hoge (86.1%)
- Sepp Straka (+85.9%)
- Scottie Scheffler (+85.8%)
- Alex Noren (+85.8%)
4. Strokes Gained: Putting (Bentgrass – Fast)
The Bentgrass greens at Muirfield are lightning quick. Whoever can master these difficult putting surfaces has a major advantage at Jack’s place.
Strokes Gained: Putting (Bentgrass+Fast) Over Past 24 Rounds:
- Justin Rose (+1.43)
- Thomas Detry (+0.88)
- Sahith Theegala (+0.77)
- Harris English (+0.74)
- Denny McCarthy (+0.73)
5. Strokes Gained: Nicklaus Designs
We often see similar leaderboards when events are hosted by Jack Nicklaus designed courses. The model this week will look to incorporate those golfers.
Strokes Gained: Nicklaus Designs (per round, min. 4 rounds) Over Past 36 Rounds:
- Scottie Scheffler (+2.49)
- Patrick Cantlay (+2.32)
- Collin Morikawa (+1.99)
- Shane Lowry (+1.74)
- Austin Eckroat (+1.67)
6. Course History
We often see similar leaderboards when events are hosted by Jack Nicklaus designed courses. The model this week will look to incorporate those golfers.
Course History (Strokes Gained: Total (per round, min. 4 rounds) Over Past 36 Rounds:
- Scottie Scheffler (+2.75)
- Patrick Cantlay (+2.54)
- Justin Rose (+2.17)
- Collin Morikawa (+1.77)
- Jordan Spieth (+1.66)
The Memorial Tournament Model Rankings
Below, I’ve compiled overall model rankings using a combination of the five key statistical categories previously discussed — SG: Approach (27%), SG: BS (18%), Good Drive % (16%), SG: Putting Bentgrass – Fast (13%), Course History (13%) and SG: Total Nicklaus Designs (13%).
- Scottie Scheffler
- Xander Schauffele
- Shane Lowry
- Alex Noren
- Sahith Theegala
- Collin Morikawa
- Rory McIlroy
- Tony Finau
- Keegan Bradley
- Sepp Straka
- Corey Conners
- Viktor Hovland
- Russell Henley
- Si Woo Kim
- Justin Thomas
2024 Memorial Tournament Picks
Collin Morikawa +1800 (Fanatics)
Collin Morikawa has consistently shown up in the biggest events over the past few months. He finished in a tie for 3rd at The Masters, 9th at the RBC Heritage, a tie for 16th at the Wells Fargo Championship and a tie for 4th at the PGA Championship. He also finished 4th in his most recent start at the Charles Schwab Challenge.
Iron play is always a strong indication of where Morikawa’s game is trending, and his Strokes Gained: Approach numbers have seen a recent uptick. The two-time major champion has gained an average of 4.0 strokes on approach over his last two starts, which despite not being as good as his peak approach numbers, are a major improvement over the past year or so.
Morikawa has played some great golf at Muirfield Village throughout his career. He won the Workday Charity Open in 2020 and lost in a playoff at The Memorial Tournament in 2021. His two most recent starts at the course have ended in a withdraw and a missed cut, but his current form is much better than it was over the past few seasons coming into the event.
In addition to the strong iron play, the ability to keep the ball in the fairway will be a major advantage for a Memorial Tournament that I anticipate will play relatively difficult. Morikawa has gained strokes off the tee in eight consecutive starts, including 3.8 strokes at the PGA Championship and 4.0 strokes at the Charles Schwab Challenge.
The American has been fantastic at Nicklaus Courses since he burst onto the scene on the PGA Tour, and that was once again on full display at Valhalla last month. In his last 36 rounds, Collin ranks 3rd in Strokes Gained: Total on Nicklaus designs. He also ranked 1st in the field in Good Drive %, which will be a key this week.
It’s been a while since the 27-year-old has won a big event on Tour, but that could very well change this week at Jack’s place.
Justin Thomas +2500 (BetMGM)
Justin Thomas is winless in last 43 professional starts, dating back to the 2022 PGA Championship. For a player with 17 professional wins and in the prime of his career, that’s a long time.
Other than being “due”, Thomas has shown signs that is just about all the way back from his two-year slump. He has four top-ten finishes this season, with three of those being at a “signature” event or a major. Most recently, he’s finished in a tie for 5th at the RBC Heritage, a tie for 21st at the Wells Fargo Championship and a tie for 8th at the PGA Championship.
JT has loved Nicklaus designs throughout his career. He finished 2nd at the 2020 Workday at Muirfield Village, losing in a playoff to Collin Morikawa. In his last 30 rounds at the course, he ranks 6th in Strokes Gained: Total.
In addition to the obvious course fit, Thomas’ ball striking numbers have come to life of late. He gained 4.1 strokes on approach at the PGA Championship to go along with 4.6 strokes off the tee. Valhalla another Jack Nicklaus design so it’s encouraging to see that’s where he had arguably his best ball striking week of the season. The key for Thomas will be keeping the ball on the fairways this week and he’s improved his SG: OTT performance in four consecutive starts.
Thomas is finally in form and ready to get back in the winner’s circle at Muirfield Village.
Byeong Hun An +5000 (DraftKings)
Byeong Hun An is playing the best golf of his career. This season, the 32-year-old has finished T16 at the Genesis Invitational, T16 at The Masters, T8 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and 3rd at the Wells Fargo Championship.
The South Korean’s ball striking has been fantastic this year. He’s gained strokes both off the tee and on approach in six consecutive events. An will now head back to a course where he’s had plenty of success. Back in 2018, he lost in a playoff to a surging superstar named Bryson DeChambeau. Ben has five top-25 finishes in eight starts at the course. The few times he missed the cut were in 2020 and 2021 when he was really struggling with his game.
An has had some close calls of late and I believe we need to stick with him for one more week.
Corey Conners +6000 (DraftKings)
Corey Conners is absolutely striping the ball right now. In his past 24 rounds, the Canadian ranks 2nd in Strokes Gained: Approach, 5th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking and 22nd in Good Drive %.
At last week’s Canadian Open, Conners ranked 4th for the week in approach and finished in 6th place. In his previous two starts, Conners ranked 2nd in Strokes Gained: Approach at the Wells Fargo Championship and 4th at the PGA Championship. There are very few players on the planet that are currently hotter with their irons than Corey Conners.
Conners has a solid history at Muirfield Village with mixed results. His best finish came in 2022, when he finished T13 and also finished T22 back in 2020. While putting is typically Conners’ greatest weakness, he’s gained strokes on the greens in three of his six starts at the course and ranks 30th in the field in Strokes Gained: Putting on fast Bentgrass, so there’s hope that the 32-year-old can putt to field average this week.
Conners’ ability to hit fairways and dial in his mid-irons can propel him to the top of the leaderboard this week at a course that favors ball strikers.
Will Zalatoris +8000 (DraftKings)
I’m not entirely sure if Will Zalatoris is fully healthy based on his recent struggles, but there are enough positive signs for a player of his talent at this number.
Zalatoris made a Friday charge in his most recent start at the PGA Championship, which enabled him to sneak through the cut line. For the week, he gained 3.56 strokes on approach and has gained on approach in nine of his past ten starts.
Although he’s struggled at times, Zalatoris still has some strong finishes in big events this year. He finished in a tie for 9th at the Masters, a tie for 4th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and a tie foe 2nd at the Genesis Invitational.
If Zalatoris is feeling fit, Muirfield Village is a perfect course to showcase his strengths. He’s one of the best iron players in the world and already has a 5th place finish in his most recent start at the course (2022).
This is a buy low opportunity on a world class player that has win equity.
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One of my favorite golf writers was the late Ron Balicki, and not just for the shared first name. Balicki was called, and enjoyed, the nickname “Wrong Ron,” because whoever he chose to win, was guaranteed to do not that. I might have inherited the moniker, sadly, and if you read yesterday’s update, this week goes miles to secure that designation. Four amateurs made the cut, and three of them tied for low amateur at 12-over par. I picked the one that did not make that number. Hilarious, no? As for the tournament proper, the new “Wrong Ron” guessed the correct country, but the wrong golfer. I went with Hinako Shibuno, and it was the other pride of Japan, Yuka Saso, who stole the show. Alas!
For a healthy portion of the day, odds were in the favor of a player earning a second Open title. Important note: her name was not Yuka Saso. As golfers around her crumbled, Minjee Lee held steady at +1 on the day, and -4 on the week. Arpichya Yubol from Thailand had made the big move of the day. She reached -3 on the day an -1 for the week, before two late bogies dropped her to solo fifth position, a remarkable achievement. The round of the day came from Ally Ewing, who posted four birdies against zero bogeys for 66 and a tie for third spot.
DIALED IN ??
2021 champion Yuka Saso with another birdie, now 2 clear of the field.#USWomensOpen | @Ally pic.twitter.com/B2TslN56re
— U.S. Women’s Open (@uswomensopen) June 2, 2024
As for Minjee, the round’s thread began to unravel at the 9th. A missed fairway led to bogey, and she followed with a three-putt for another at the tenth hole. Double bogeys at 12 and 14 took her out of the running for the title, and opened the chase to a new segment of the field. Hinako Shibuno would ultimately finish in solo second, one of two golfers to finish under par on the week. Shibuno was never a threat for the title, but when others lost their momentum, she found herself positioned for a runner-up finish.
A GOLF SHOT clinic!
Yuka Saso has this left for eagle on the short par-4 16th.#USWomensOpen | @Ally pic.twitter.com/OGn5Auv2Nj
— U.S. Women’s Open (@uswomensopen) June 2, 2024
It was Yuka Saso who turned in the day’s memorable performance. Saso turned in even par on the day, preserving her position at one-under par. Andrea Lee (+5) and Wichanee Meechai (+7) fell away from their place atop the third-round chart, as did Minjee Lee. Suddenly, Saso had posted four birdies in five holes on the inward half. She finished at two under on the day, four under on the week, and earned a three-shot win over Shibuno.
In her post-0round comments, Saso revealed that she had doubts that she would win again, especially a major title. She discussed the addition of a new putter to her bag, and her extraordinary confidence in her driver. Finally, Saso revealed how important the first cut of rough was to the resolution of the tournament. That wee bit of playable grass made all the difference in her mind.
TWICE AS NICE! ??
Yuka Saso has won the U.S. Women’s Open for the second time!#USWomensOpen | @Ally pic.twitter.com/TIIMUIvhfd
— U.S. Women’s Open (@uswomensopen) June 2, 2024
With the refreshing transparency that all writers desire, Yuka Saso won for a second time on Sunday. We’ll forgive her if she values the US Open silver a bit more.
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*Editor’s note: This article originally appeared on GolfWRX in September 2023*
Following Lexi Thompson’s Solheim Cup post-round presser on Friday evening, the 28-year-old has been the topic of much discussion.
Golf pundits and fans alike have been weighing in with their takes after this exchange with a reporter surrounding an untimely shank on Friday afternoon went viral:
Confounding answer from Lexi and subsequent reaction from the US side. It was one of the pivotal moments of the entire day and somehow that's off limits? pic.twitter.com/9std3LFlmN
— Tron Carter (@TronCarterNLU) September 23, 2023
After the incident, LPGA Hall of Famer Nancy Lopez said that Lexi has “been picked on and drug through negative comments. She is tired of it”
So has the criticism of Lexi Thompson been justified, or is this yet another example of her being unfairly treated?
Well, here are five times, in my opinion, that Lexi has been scrutinized far differently over the years than her peers.
2022 KPMG PGA Championship
At the 2022 KPMG PGA Championship, Lexi Thompson held a two-stroke lead with three holes to play. She couldn’t close the deal and lost the tournament.
Afterwards, she was fined $2k (as were the rest of the group) for slow play.
Lexi declined to speak to the media and got hammered on social media for doing so…
Lexi Thompson has declined to speak with the media here at Congressional.
Not a great look?
— Zephyr Melton (@zephyrmelton) June 26, 2022
Almost every golfer at some point has skipped a media session following disappointment on the course, and nobody has really batted an eyelid.
Tiger skipped back-to-back post-round media briefings at the 2019 WGC Mexico after being frustrated with his putting. Remember the backlash over that? Nah, me neither.
Donald Trump
@TheWhiteHouse
Every (or nearly every) big-name golfer under the sun has played golf with Donald Trump. Tiger Woods, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy etc. Nobody really cared.
For whatever reason, when Lexi Thompson did, it was a story, and she took herself off social media soon after the photo was posted.
View this post on Instagram
2021 U.S. Women’s Open
In the final round of the 2021 U.S. Women’s Open, Lexi Thompson had a 6-foot eagle on her opening hole. She missed and made birdie to lead by five.
She then lost the tournament.
Following the round, Brandel Chamblee said on ‘Live From’:
“She’s got 6 feet away. Now professional golfers don’t miss the center of the face by a pinhead. Look where she hits this putt on the very 1st hole. Look where this putt comes off the face. She would have missed the center of the putter there by a half an inch. I have never — I have never — seen a professional golfer miss the center of the putter by a wider margin than that. That was at the 1st hole. “
Honest? Absolutely. Correct? Brandel usually is. Has any other LPGA golfer been handed the full-on Chamblee treatment? Not to my knowledge.
2023 Solheim Cup
Lexi Thompson spoke the words, “I don’t need to comment on that” when a reporter asked her about a failed shot, and the golf community collectively lost their minds.
Lost on many people is the fact that she literally answered the question instantly after.
Jessica Korda described the reporting of the awkward exchange with the media member as yet another example of the golf media shredding Lexi, but in reality, it was really just golf media covering the furore created by golf fans reacting to the viral clip.
So sad seeing golf media , yet again, shred Lexi. It’s easy writing about other people’s mistakes. It’s
Golf, bad shots happen- give the girl a break. She grows the game more than anyone on tour… And she’s a great player!!— Jessica Korda (@Thejessicakorda) September 23, 2023
Lexi then won her next two matches, collecting 3 points from 4 for the U.S. team. But nobody seems to care about that.
‘yOu ShoUlD PrAcTIce puTTinG’
There’s very few golfers that have been plagued with such inane posts on their Instagram page as Lexi Thompson has.
I’ve tracked golfer’s social media accounts over the past few years (job requirement, sort of?). I can categorically say that Lexi gets some of the angriest and most aggressive responses to her posts of any golfer. Male or female. (She also gets some very nice ones too).
Despite countless posts of Thompson relentlessly practising her putting, the number of comments from dummies accusing her of neglecting that area of her game is both bizarre and alarming. Notice how the comments have been disabled on the post below? Probably not a coincidence.
View this post on Instagram
Go on any other golfer’s social account, and it will be hard to find the same dynamic.
Throw in the scandalous rules decision at the 2017 ANA Inspiration that cost her a second major title and spawned the “Lexi rule,” and it’s hard not to think Lexi has had a bit of a raw deal at times.
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Rodan
Nov 2, 2014 at 5:29 pm
Typical media response, instead of writing based on the facts you have inferred what TB meant when he said what he said, you are the problem here! Was he discriminating against little girls??? I don’t know, do little girls squeal more than others???? Probably. Just like little boys squeal more than men…..
Really, besides Ian Poulter is a self absorbed “toolbox” (oh no, I just insulted a toolbox!) look at his social media posts……all his cars, private jets….etc. He may have more stuff, so what?
Ponjo
Oct 31, 2014 at 4:57 pm
Squealing like little boy doesn’t sound right 🙂
wineyax
Oct 31, 2014 at 1:51 pm
You make TED BISHOP look like COUNT DRACULA.
Its just not fair IMHO.
Jecarnl
Oct 29, 2014 at 1:34 pm
What a PC bull crap.
snowman
Oct 28, 2014 at 12:17 pm
The Headline of this article is complete rubbish and the content is PC BS. This article should have been Published in Ms. or Cosmo. Do you honestly think firing Bishop will do Anything to bring more women into the game or whatever it is that the PC police are advocating? No Way!. What a bunch of PC Drivel.
Ruben Acosta
Oct 30, 2014 at 9:32 am
There does seem to be a lot of male chauvinism in golf, this is just one example of how it can manifest. I think that Bishop’s reply was inappropriate and meant to be derogatory. One way we chide each other is to say something that will provoke the other. His mistake was that it also provokes many others. I think if Golf really wanted to “grow” the game they would put their efforts to those areas that have the most growth potential. That area is the LPGA and its tournaments. If you look at just what has happened in the last decade you have the FedEx people make up this desperate attempt to make their own major. They tell us how important early season points are and demand attention to that , but when it comes to it anybody wins playoff tournament it negates all those prior performance. I think they should take half of that money and devote it to LPGA and building purses. Another inequity is Golf Channel, their coverage of LPGA is pitiful and they will repeat play of PGA events more than once. And also since they seem to have trouble realizing the value of some of their best women sportcasters such as Winn McMurry and Holly Sonders. Forget about the FedEx and how important it is, this year the guy won 13.5 million dollars. I mean is this really a valid outcome? I am glad for Billy and he did play great at the end of this season but I don’t like how FEDEX tries to be more important than it is.
Bill
Nov 1, 2014 at 8:32 pm
Really lame, inaccurate take Rueben. Poulter deserved to be called out for HIS stupid comments. Bishops reply may have been unprofessional at best. Wuss, little girl etc fits Poulter for his take on Faldo. Gavrich (the author) is using this unrelated incident to grind a mythical ax against sexism.
The author is mixing fictional politics with fact and landing way off target. Non story at best.
Johnny
Oct 28, 2014 at 11:55 am
Bishop’s exit clears the way for the eradication of sexism in golf?
Seriously? That has to be one of the most ignorant statements I have read in the coverage of this story. And there have been many such statements to choose from.
Jafar
Oct 28, 2014 at 10:32 am
This is dumb.
Everyone involved in this looks really stupid.
I don’t even want to comment anymore, I hope this story gets buried after this week.
Scooter McGavin
Oct 28, 2014 at 9:24 am
I am seeing way too many comments saying “men and women ARE different”. That is not the point. Let me repeat. That is not the point. The point is that it is offensive and sexist to use calling someone a girl as an insult. It’s the same as how we are trying to quit calling people or things “gay” as an insult, because it is demeaning to gay people. Most of you are not getting it because you are, for the most part, white, heterosexual men, and as such, are not typically on the receiving end of these slurs. Just because you have not had your race, gender, or sexual orientation used as a demeaning slur, does not mean that it is not offensive to others that have had it happen to them. In the United States, at least, racial minorities, LGBT’s, and women have had to come from behind from being second class citizens, and each time someone says an insult like “lil girl” (or its equivalent with racial minorities and LGBT’s) it only succeeds in slowing down the progress we are making with achieving equality, understanding, and acceptance. Again, just because your race and gender have not had to go through the same issue does not mean it is not a serious reality.
John
Oct 28, 2014 at 12:03 pm
Great article and well said Scooter. Unfortunately, thoughtful posts ike yours get buried in the cascade of reactionary nonsense that forums on golfwrx are well known for.
Jeremy
Oct 28, 2014 at 12:11 pm
Finally. Thank you for framing it the right way.
502 to Right
Oct 29, 2014 at 9:59 pm
Yes, it is the point.
Buggs
Oct 28, 2014 at 8:58 am
Stupid article.
markhd
Oct 27, 2014 at 5:23 pm
C’mon, folks. This will keep happening as long as organizations keep telling 60-year-old guys that they “have to engage on social media” in order to market effectively. This is simply and wholly a marketing breakdown within the PGA. Handing a Twitter account to a CEO from past generations is roughly the same as handing a shotgun to a duck. They should not have fired Mr. Bishop. They should certainly have fired whomever is in charge of marketing and PR at the PGA. Yes, Mr. Bishop should have known he was holding a weapon of personal destruction when he picked up his cell phone or tablet of choice. His bad. But ultimately, his organization’s marketing people should never, ever have let him put his head on that block.
Forewarned is forearmed, and Lord knows these sorts of organizations have seen this carnage too often in the past. Just dumb. Tragic, yes. But mostly dumb.
Patricknorm
Oct 27, 2014 at 4:52 pm
The people I play golf with don’t comment like many of you do on this site. What I mean is that whether I play in a sanctioned tournament or a friendly Sunday morning skins game we don’t throw away lines like Ted Bishop did. We are to a fault quite polite and aware of each other’s peculuarites.
Most of you are focusing on what he said rather than its context. If I’m a PGA member I want my head guy to be professional and a good leader.
If Ted Bishop is meant to be the talking head for the PGA then it’s pretty hard to attract strong sponsors with this kind of throw away line. Regardless of what you think of Poulter, he wasn’t wrong.
Is this article overly sensitive? Depends on your context. If I’m playing with another CEO I’d choose my words carefully.
If I’m hanging with my 20 something buddies then anything goes. Ted Bishop in his capacity was better off saying zero.
James
Oct 27, 2014 at 3:26 pm
When did men become the enemy of women and why? Political correctness is wrecking society. As much as everyone would LOVE to have a utopia where all are equal it isn’t a reality among human beings. Not everyone is the same and men and women are totally different even in many ways other than physical. Men like to look at pretty pictures of women and women tend to prefer the romance of the written word. Men are visual and women verbal if you will.
Seems to me these days, people are looking for stuff to claim “offense” over. Everyone is a victim of some unseen force apparently.
chad ryan
Oct 27, 2014 at 2:43 pm
If you think a man should be fired for saying “little girl” then you are also a little girl. There is nothing offensive to women about saying that. And i’m sorry but newsflash to all you PC people – women, especially little/young ones (as bishop was inferring) ARE IN FACT weaker than grown men. This will come as a shock to everyone who thinks that women play from the red tees that are 100 yds in front of the men’s tees simply because they prefer the color. Furthermore – one of the great aspects of the Rider cup is the US vs euro rivalry. If Phil mickelson had tweeted the same thing he would have been praised for supporting his team. I feel sorry for Mr Bishop, he really got thrown under the bus for nothing. And by the way….”SEXISM IN GOLF”? give me a break. You want golf to be “un-sexist”? Make the women play from the same tees as men. That would be unsexist. You want an even playing field? play from the tips like everyone else.
Bill
Oct 27, 2014 at 3:31 pm
“Bishop’s exit clears way for eradication of sexism in golf”
So Mr. Bishop was the only barrier standing in between us and a game free of sexism? Golf is the most elitist, sexist, racist, and exclusive game in the world. Firing one old white guy is meaningless.
Also can you get fired for saying the sky is blue?
loubdoobe
Oct 27, 2014 at 9:06 am
Seriously, get over the political correctness. Women are physically weaker than men and losing your sense of humor over a figurative expression is asinine.
Bruce Wayne
Oct 27, 2014 at 11:49 am
Agreed. Bishops remark was not sexist. This story is being blown up way to much. At worst it was just a little banter on social media which was probably not the best place to do it. This story is an example of political correctness being taken way to far. I wonder if Bishop would have called Poulter a peacock for the flamboyant manner in which he dresses if Bishop would have been fired for violating animal rights for racially stereo typing an animal. This is just rediculous.
Jeremy
Oct 27, 2014 at 12:13 pm
The comment had nothing to do with physical strength.
dapadre
Oct 27, 2014 at 6:23 am
I agree totally with the comment from the former PGA prez. I dont think it was meant to be sexist and was referring to little girls squealing as one may refer to boys being rascally. Now taken that from his position its not professional I think a suspension or penalty would have been the correct thing to do. I mean Ian P is not exactly Golfs choir boy (ooeps is that PC or is that allowed or will I also no be banned by Golfwrx).I live in Europe and believe me Ian P.has done some crazy things.
I do believe that this was done to MARKET their toughness. Look at the statement the Russian Tennis President made.I found that to be more hurtful. Note I may have missed it but did anyone complain from the LPGA? Its irritating when groups are so-called protected (in this case women) when they could care less.Whats the next step, can I refer to my golf pal who happens to be white as Bro. Im black and this term can be traced back to the black community. Can we see how silly this is becoming. I hope they dont think by toughening up this will bring more golfers back.
As for Ian P.I dont think he wanted this to happen, BUT the gods of golf are watching. When you point one finger three are pointing back at you. Karma is a B…h ( can I say that now actually).
Mad-Mex
Oct 26, 2014 at 11:33 pm
So, are they still trying to figure out why golf is loosing players?
Tyler
Oct 26, 2014 at 9:41 pm
Men and women ARE different. I respect that Golfwrx, due to it’s profile and relationship with so many manufacturers and advertisers (and same for its partner Golf Digest) must write such an article to score points with said other parties, but that doesn’t mean golf is a sport for sexists. Ted Bishop made a very strange comment, and probably wasn’t fit for his former position. That said, Ian Poulter is whiney, and annoying to listen to – all the way down to his angry birds/boy band haircut. He really does need to shut up because he really isn’t half the player Faldo is or was. Bishop was not wrong on that point. Again though, very strange choice of comments, perhaps a few less cocktails before taking to social media next time Ted.
Regarding women and ‘growing the game’ through their demo, my girlfriend enjoys playing golf, but her ceiling is about one hour and then she loses interest. Also, she will NEVER pay more than $300 for a cheap matched set, and she didn’t play baseball or softball so it’s as foreign to her as me trying to apply foundation or explain the term hypoallergenic! For 90% of american women this is the case. I’d you want to pull in the female demographic you need to simplify the game and the experience, and drop the entry level expense. Such as a 150yd tee for casual ladies, do more to popularize 9 hole rounds so they can get in and out without killing everyone else’s round, and talk the big boy manufacturers into creating sets for everyday ladies who aren’t interested in breaking 90. But also aren’t willing to blow cash on some overly cheap Walmart set.
Or you could just accept that the golf industry is driven by men -who are more interested to ogle cart girls and are susceptible to being sucked into the allure of a cleverly marketed $400 driver (which they can’t fly 250 straight). Ie, the type to retreat back to the club and tweet from the cherrywood and leather adorned friendly confines of the boys club.. Ie, Ted Bishop..
When the golf industry is ready to disrupt ITSELF.. ESPECIALLY GOLFWRX AND GOLF DIGEST (who peddle clubs the average man or woman can scarcely afford).. expect NO change, just more lip service such as this article..
Will
Oct 26, 2014 at 5:28 pm
You guys are overreacting. This article is clearly written in a sarcastic tone.
Nick
Oct 26, 2014 at 3:29 pm
Men and Women are NOT the same. Another thing when things are said such as “men…” that is what is called a generalization and it’s implicit that their are exceptions. So generalizing, women whine more than men, women are physically not as strong as men. Sexism exists cause it’s real, everyone is not the same.
Tyler
Oct 26, 2014 at 7:59 pm
The generalization that woman whine more than men is complety false. Studies show men and woman whine the same amount its just when woman do it we call it whining and when men do whine we call it expressing our thoughts. As for men and woman hitting the ball not as far, I would love to see you in a long drive competition with Michelle Wie.
joey5picks
Oct 26, 2014 at 10:07 pm
Michelle Wei is not the typical woman, so using her to support your point is a fallacy. As a group, men ARE stronger than women and DO hit it further. Fact.
“Studies show” men and women whine the same amount? Studies also show people cite ficticious studies to try to prove a point.
marriedwithchildren
Oct 26, 2014 at 10:17 pm
Married men would disagree with you as to who whines more.
rer4136
Oct 27, 2014 at 4:29 pm
Do you find the term “Man up” offensive?
Jeremy
Oct 27, 2014 at 12:12 pm
He didn’t call Poulter a “lil girl” because he only hit his drive 230 yards. The comment had absolutely nothing to do with physical strength.
You’re a complainer. You have a lousy attitude. You’re a girl.
Get it?
Large chris
Oct 26, 2014 at 3:02 pm
Ridiculous to fire him for non existent sexism.
Correct to fire him for being inept and unable to use social media in a professional way. Anyone with a brain knows that in a corporate environment if you choose to use social media publicly you do so in a manner that is not personally critical of others, particularly of your own employees.
Always amazes me how many high powered supposedly clever masters of the universe don’t get that.
KT
Oct 26, 2014 at 2:42 pm
As a man, I am offended by the “come on man” phrase.
Harry G.
Oct 26, 2014 at 1:48 pm
Right on Ted! The notion that women will save golf from the contraction it is experiencing is missing the reality of the situation. Young boys and girls will not spend long hours practicing a game that takes years of dedication and experience to play proficiently, not to mention 5 hours to play! Ever wonder why the U. S. can’t win the Ryder Cup? Look whose running the show!
Jake Anderson
Oct 26, 2014 at 12:12 pm
Spot on, Mr. Garvich! What a wonderful article!
rickrock
Oct 26, 2014 at 11:47 am
The Anti-PC-Police are out in force today! I guess they must do their policing before church, lol.
This was a fireable offense, no doubt. No so much for what Bishop said, but for the fact that he took it to one of his own members on Twitter?!? Just… wow. Poor, poor leadership skills there, Ted.
Given that most of the differences between the sexes can be traced back to socialization, the need to change the words we use becomes more important if we want to see each other as equals.
Did the ‘lil girl’ comment cross the line? I’m not sure, but the PGA is clearly better off with Bishop gone.
paul
Oct 26, 2014 at 10:40 am
Where I live we don’t have nearly as much political correctness. I had to read about Teds comments twice to see why it was sexist… Little boys squeal as well as little girls, little girls just squeal more often and louder. Sounds like poulter to me ???? I had my sensitive wife read this so far, she doesn’t see my comment as sexist.
PCPolice
Oct 26, 2014 at 9:22 am
The PC police will come for everyone until the communist manifesto has been fully implemented.
Dave
Oct 26, 2014 at 8:00 am
What a bunch of baloney. Firing a guy over nonsense like this. I’d bet someone had it in for Bishop. Let’s get this guy.
The world has gone completely crazy. I weep for the young people.
dwntnbrown
Oct 26, 2014 at 2:49 pm
tis not a guy it a lil girl who got their feelings hurt. if it wasn’t for what they are sitting on there would be a bounty on their ears
rer4136
Oct 27, 2014 at 4:31 pm
We live in a country where some think same sex marriage is an important issue. Its the young people causing the problem.
darrell
Oct 25, 2014 at 11:08 pm
Most of this article is a complete fabrication. “likening Poulter to a girl or a woman in order to insult him” This a false statement Tim, he said “lil girl.”…lesser beings than men” Where did that reach come from? “insulting men by likening them to women” Again,, Tim he said “lil girl.” This article will play big in the liberal North East States, but those of us with an IQ over 14 are not going to fall for this false journalism. You are right in the fact that you do not have a little girl because if you did you would realize they squeal on the playground. This is something boys do not do. I am not condoning the statements made, however the reaction of the PGA board is way out of line. Using your leap in reporting…..you are denigrating all PGA members with this article, lumping all professionals in the woman hating crowd.
JR
Oct 26, 2014 at 3:32 pm
People who are liberal probably think what Bishop wasn’t sexist too. Nice try.
Tyler
Oct 25, 2014 at 10:39 pm
Haha well said Knobbywood, this world is becoming crazy. Its sad that instead of instilling confidence in kids, so when when someone calls them a silly name it doesn’t bother them because they are secure in who they are, we teach them to cry and be upset and tell the teacher. Anyways listening to morning drive this morning made me sick.
Steve Sales
Oct 25, 2014 at 10:28 pm
Dear Mr. Gavrich,
If you are so upset about how your future daughter might be uncomfortable about getting into golf because of the neocons involved how will you explain writing these scathing gender equality pieces for this website. If you will notice the “Leaderbord” section headers on the right side of this page you will find that only the male tours are listed. Talk about old bys club mentality! And you have the gall to take money from such an organization! What would your poor daughter say. How will she be able to face life with living with a demeaning jerk such as yourself.
Maybe the Enquirer has an opening? I feel you might be able to fully realize your full journalistic potential writing for those folks, you seem like a natural.
loubdoobe
Oct 27, 2014 at 9:09 am
I agree.
Rwj
Oct 25, 2014 at 8:22 pm
Sexism in golf from the male point of view. How is the LPGA’s continue use of coverage of the pretty girls helping sexism? They insist on tight skirts and blouses…that’s equality? I don’t understand how a group of guys playing together and razzing their buddies with “does your husband play” after a putt well short demean women? By your impression, make the ladies hit 600 yard par-5’s and all the par-3’s over 200 yards…equality all around or maybe, just maybe realize the sexes are different and stop being so critical of every single thing.
rer4136
Oct 27, 2014 at 4:34 pm
Great point. All courses played at the same length. One set of tees for everyone. No exceptions, play it back.
Dimarco
Oct 25, 2014 at 8:18 pm
I think the biggest issue is that the golf media is pumping up this story and pushing it as a highly sexist remark that women golfers NEED to be upset about. I talked this story over with my wife and she didn’t see it as sexist . She thought it was not a good remark for a PGA president to make but she thought using it as a beacon for change was a little bit of stretch. Neither of us felt that it has or will set back the women’s game.
What I find interesting is that we haven’t heard anything from the LPGA or any LPGA golfers on this yet.
Dave
Oct 25, 2014 at 8:08 pm
Look at a response Ian poulter had to a sports writer on twitter in this article. He uses a much more vulgar name but barely a peep from the media.
http://www.sbnation.com/golf/2014/3/9/5488298/ian-poulter-twitter-hideki-matsuyama-wgc-cadillac-championship-2014
RP Jacobs II
Oct 25, 2014 at 7:49 pm
This PC environment is ridiculous, LMAO. Its like an infectious communicable disease, lol. Was what he said foolish? Absolutely!! However where I am most dissapointed is that a president/CEO should have much more productive things to do with his time than to insert himself into a potentially controversial social media exchange.
What bothers me were not his words, however the thoughts, process and priorities of such a man. Now THAT bothers me greatly. My GF happens to be a LPGA Class A Master and she finds this all amusing especially the men who have come out of the wood work chirping about equality, sexism, bla, bla bla.
Her only question to the PC chirper was why have there no prominent women jumping on the PC band wagon?
They were there for Augusta.
No, Ted Bishop was a disappointment in so many areas, however this is typical of the PC movement in trying to make a minor issue into WW III, LOL.
Are females and Ladies where they should be in the game?
Absolutely not!!!
However it’s garbage like this that make the REAL issues that much tougher a hill to climb.
We don’t need a bunch of Type B passive PC male leading the charge, LMAO.
Have a nice week Gals & Gents 🙂
Fairways & Greens My Friends,
Richard
Roger
Oct 25, 2014 at 7:08 pm
Twitter will continue to assist in Workplace Dismissals!
D Snyder
Oct 25, 2014 at 7:00 pm
Would the powers that be have fired Bishop if he had said “lil boy” or “lil man”? What a bunch of PC bs…nothing “draconian” about it.
Ryan
Oct 25, 2014 at 8:30 pm
Agreed..
Jeremy
Oct 25, 2014 at 9:02 pm
They wouldn’t have fired him if he’d said a lot of other things. But… he didn’t.
Knobbywood
Oct 26, 2014 at 7:59 am
Wow way to totally strike out on that analogy… Lil boy correlates to Lil girl… Unlike “alot of other things” also the sky is blue and 2+2 is 4
Jeremy
Oct 27, 2014 at 12:06 pm
It was an admittedly lazy attempt to point out the flaw in D Snyder’s argument. If he’d said “idiot” like Poulter once famously did, it wouldn’t have been that bad (though still childish and unprofessional of a man in Bishop’s position). If he’d said “lil boy” he’d have probably gotten off the hook. But he said what he said and I wish the obnoxiousness of it were more obvious to a lot of people here.
Ritch
Oct 25, 2014 at 6:25 pm
This is a good piece and I agree with the PGA’s actions. I work part-time in the pro shop at a local club. We have a number of events that we promote as coed but have a very difficult time getting women to participate. Some of this is due to the subtle and, in some cases, overt attitude expressed by the men about playing with women. There is one lady here who put the men at ease during our weekly senior scramble. There was a silent tension the first couple of holes but then, following a semi-shank on the third, she cut loose with a couple of expletives, the ice was broken and the rest of the round proceeded as good fun. One footnote regarding the comment “hit it Alice”, during an interview with Sports Illustrated, I believe, Peter Allis stated that he was responsible for that comment. Apparently, he hadn’t been putting well in his Ryder Cup match and after leaving another putt short, someone in the gallery spouted “hit it Allis”.
Ted
Oct 25, 2014 at 6:16 pm
This is the sort of useless drivel that’s beginning to make this site irrelevant. Calling someone a little girl is hardly sexist and anyone claiming so is delusional or succumbing to the irrational power of political correctness. Newsflash, there are inherent differences between boys and girls. Little girls are weak and immature. That doesn’t mean they are of a lesser standing than little boys. Alas, that’s not the issue here. Ted bishop was wrong to call out Ian Poulter but folks such as the author of this piece are doing a greater disservice to women and girls. By clinging to false notions of sexism and discrimination you prevent girls, young ladies, and women from toughening themselves against the realities of the world. Not everyone is going to like you. Not everyone is going to be nice to you. But, but highlighting trivial occurrences such as this one, you degrade the sensitivities of the general public when true instances of sexism arise.
Knobbywood
Oct 25, 2014 at 5:49 pm
This whole thing makes me sick… A guy lost his job for calling someone a little girl!! The world has gone totally insane with political correctness!! People are so easily offended by the slightest thing it makes my head spin… If this honestly offends you I am so glad I don’t have to interact with you