PGA of America President, Ted Bishop, and his buffoonery, keep the recent Ryder Cup match alive and near the top of social media hits.
Within the space of an incredulous tweet or two, coupled with an outrageous elaboration on Facebook, Ted Bishop has certainly done his bit to raise the game’s profile. Which is just as well, for the game suffers around this time of year with most big names resting during the transition between seasons. In short, it’s a nothing time in golf. Thus, incredible antics from the likes of the President of the PGA of America, no less, are guaranteed air time.
Readers of this column will be aware of the criticism made by Ian Poulter, of both Nick Faldo and Tom Watson and their performance as Ryder Cup Captains, in his recently published autobiography No Limits: My Autobiography.
It all began last Thursday 23 October, when Bishop and Faldo co-hosted a programme on Golf Channel. Bishop, who was responsible for appointing Watson as Ryder Cup Captain, was obviously enraged by some of the anti-Faldo anti-Watson comments made in Poulter’s book. So enraged in fact that later on the same day he took to Twitter:
As if that wasn’t enough, Bishop later used Facebook to elaborate: Tom Watson (8 majors and a 10-3-1 Ryder Cup record) and Nick Faldo (6 majors and all-time Ryder Cup points leader) get bashed by Ian James Poulter, Bishop wrote. Really? Sounds like a little school girl squealing during recess. C’MON MAN!
Then PGA President Ted Bishop doing a “Rickie Fowler” at the last Ryder Cup.
The posts didn’t last long before they were deleted by PR conscious PGA staff, but the damage had been done.
Two issues were now demanding an explanation. The President of the PGA had just initiated a vitriolic put-down of a player who has not only been Team Europe’s talisman, but has helped push the Ryder Cup to hitherto unseen economic heights, and thus contributed hugely to PGA coffers (US$80 million estimated PGA share from Gleneagles).
The other problem facing Bishop and the PGA was his derogatory use of the term “girl”. In this age of gender equality and inclusiveness, his choice of words, especially from one holding such office, is, well, amazing. Former LPGA Tour pro and board member Suzy Whaley, who many believe could become the PGA’s first female president in 2018, said, “I was extremely disturbed by it. For me to hear comments that are derogatory about young girls, or insulting, just because you are a girl, is offensive. The PGA of America finds it quite critical to be inclusive and we will continue to do so moving forward.”
Has the president lost the locker room?
Most commentators have been harshly critical, but not all. Davis Love, the 2012 captain; “Ted Bishop has been a great supporter of golf, the PGA of America members and the PGA Tour during his presidency,” Love said. “I have said things in my passion for the Ryder Cup that I wish came out differently. We all make mistakes on social media. I consider Ted a friend and will not remember his presidency for this incident. I’m sure he didn’t mean it to be derogatory to anyone except Ian. I have sat in board meetings with him trying to get more women involved (in golf).”
Bishop was also the promoter of the recently appointed 11-man task force set up to review America’s dismal Ryder Cup performances of late. This, along with anything else associated with Bishop may now struggle for support.
Poulter, when asked for comment, released the following statement to Golf Channel; “Is being called a `lil girl’ meant to be derogatory or a put down?” Poulter said in the statement. “That’s pretty shocking and disappointing, especially coming from the leader of the PGA of America. No further comment.”
And what of the PGA’s response?
Less than 24 hours after Bishop’s initial social media posts, the PGA of America Board of Directors voted to remove him from office with immediate effect. Stating that Bishop’s remarks were inconsistent with PGA policies, Chief Executive Pete Bevacqua went on to say; “The PGA of America understands the enormous responsibility it has to lead this great game and to enrich lives in our society through golf. We must demand of ourselves that we make golf both welcoming and inclusive to all who want to experience it, and everyone at the PGA of America must lead by example.”
But the board didn’t stop there. Bishop, whose two year term was due to expire next month, was informed that he will not become honorary president. In an unprecedented move, Bishop was also advised that he will never be recognised as a past president in the association’s history. In short, any reference to his time there will be airbrushed.
Has he lost the locker room? You bet he has, and not only that, it now appears he was never there.
Beware the downside of social media, especially if you’re an egoist.
Golfnutter
