FALL-OUT FROM GENDER-INSENSITIVE REMARKS ABOUT IAN POULTER
PGA OF AMERICA REMOVE PRESIDENT
TED BISHOP FROM OFFICE
TED BISHOP: Described Ian Poulter as "acting like a little girl."
FROM THE GOLFWEEK WEBSITE
By ALEX MICELI
Let the punishment fit the crime.
It’s a theory that can be found in philosophical writings for thousands of years.
It’s a seemingly simple concept that nonetheless can be difficult to apply.
For centuries, judges have tried to administer a fair level of justice yet in many cases have missed the mark.
Such is the nature of judging others.
On Friday, PGA of America president Ted Bishop found himself looking for justice from a board of directors that has little experience in judging others and clearly overstepped the mark.
Bishop, who had made some gender-insensitive remarks on social media about Ian Poulter in response to the Englishman's criticisms of Nick Faldo and Tom Watson, had his name literally stricken from the PGA of America's record books.
It seems unthinkable that social-media references to Poulter as acting like a little girl could cause Bishop to lose his job, a mere month before his two-year term was to end.
According to those involved in the process, the PGA of America guidelines were followed, due process was provided and Bishop was given the opportunity to plead his case to the board.
In a process that took less than 24 hours to complete, I have to question whether this swift judgment truly was a fair judgment.
Bishop, the director of golf at The Legends Golf Club in Franklin, Indiana, has become a lightning rod in his 23-month tenure as president. It had been a visible position in which he clearly took comfort.
It that period, he elevated the PGA of America and the office of president but at the same time appeared at times to be self-serving and a media darling. For some critics, his fall Friday was welcomed.
Bishop’s past accomplishments or failures should not be part of the decision-making process. The single incident regarding Poulter was all that should have been judged. By any reasonable measure, the punishment didn’t fit the crime.
Foolish – even stupid – statements need to be addressed. And there is no question that the reference to Poulter as a little girl was both, but to strip a person of his office and his legacy was too harsh.
Bishop had not been accused of being sexist, but any reasonable person would agree that his comments were sexist. Would the women's golf world really have been adversely affected if Bishop had not been removed?
Some say if he knew he was wrong, why didn’t he show contrition? And he might have, given time, which he clearly didn't have.
The PGA of America in its bylaws had many options to address a member’s misconduct, but the board chose the most severe option versus a more pragmatic approach of suspension.
If Bishop had been suspended for the month-long remainder of his term, the message still would have been the same and he could have left the office with dignity.
His legacy still would have been left relatively intact and his future with the organization unchanged, yet he would have been sufficiently punished for his mistake.
Was it really necessary to do more? Clearly the punishment didn’t fit the crime.
TED BISHOP FROM OFFICE
FROM THE GOLFWEEK WEBSITE
By ALEX MICELI
Let the punishment fit the crime.
It’s a theory that can be found in philosophical writings for thousands of years.
It’s a seemingly simple concept that nonetheless can be difficult to apply.
For centuries, judges have tried to administer a fair level of justice yet in many cases have missed the mark.
Such is the nature of judging others.
On Friday, PGA of America president Ted Bishop found himself looking for justice from a board of directors that has little experience in judging others and clearly overstepped the mark.
Bishop, who had made some gender-insensitive remarks on social media about Ian Poulter in response to the Englishman's criticisms of Nick Faldo and Tom Watson, had his name literally stricken from the PGA of America's record books.
It seems unthinkable that social-media references to Poulter as acting like a little girl could cause Bishop to lose his job, a mere month before his two-year term was to end.
According to those involved in the process, the PGA of America guidelines were followed, due process was provided and Bishop was given the opportunity to plead his case to the board.
In a process that took less than 24 hours to complete, I have to question whether this swift judgment truly was a fair judgment.
Bishop, the director of golf at The Legends Golf Club in Franklin, Indiana, has become a lightning rod in his 23-month tenure as president. It had been a visible position in which he clearly took comfort.
It that period, he elevated the PGA of America and the office of president but at the same time appeared at times to be self-serving and a media darling. For some critics, his fall Friday was welcomed.
Bishop’s past accomplishments or failures should not be part of the decision-making process. The single incident regarding Poulter was all that should have been judged. By any reasonable measure, the punishment didn’t fit the crime.
Foolish – even stupid – statements need to be addressed. And there is no question that the reference to Poulter as a little girl was both, but to strip a person of his office and his legacy was too harsh.
Bishop had not been accused of being sexist, but any reasonable person would agree that his comments were sexist. Would the women's golf world really have been adversely affected if Bishop had not been removed?
Some say if he knew he was wrong, why didn’t he show contrition? And he might have, given time, which he clearly didn't have.
The PGA of America in its bylaws had many options to address a member’s misconduct, but the board chose the most severe option versus a more pragmatic approach of suspension.
If Bishop had been suspended for the month-long remainder of his term, the message still would have been the same and he could have left the office with dignity.
His legacy still would have been left relatively intact and his future with the organization unchanged, yet he would have been sufficiently punished for his mistake.
Was it really necessary to do more? Clearly the punishment didn’t fit the crime.
US PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem released a statement Saturday regarding Ted Bishop, one day after Bishop was removed as president of the PGA of America over insensitive remarks posted on social media:
"We understand and respect the PGA of America's decision regarding
Ted Bishop," Finchem said. "During Ted's presidency, he accomplished
many positive things and the PGA of America and the PGA Tour have worked
in a much more collaborative and positive way as a result of his
leadership.
"While his remarks on social media were unfortunate and inappropriate, Ted's apology was heartfelt and sincere. We will always appreciate Ted's commitment to the game of golf."
+SCROLL DOWN TO READ TED
BISHOP'S APOLOGY
FACEBOOK COMMENT: POULTER LIKE
"A LITTLE GIRL SCREAMING IN
RECESS"
"While his remarks on social media were unfortunate and inappropriate, Ted's apology was heartfelt and sincere. We will always appreciate Ted's commitment to the game of golf."
+SCROLL DOWN TO READ TED
BISHOP'S APOLOGY
FACEBOOK COMMENT: POULTER LIKE
"A LITTLE GIRL SCREAMING IN
RECESS"
Ted Bishop
has been removed from his post as the president of PGA of America for
the 'insensitive gender-based statements' he made about English golfer
Ian Poulter on social media, the US golf governing body announced after a
vote on Friday.
Bishop
called Poulter a 'Lil Girl' in a series of outbursts on his personal
Twitter on Thursday in a post that have since been deleted.
He also elaborated on the comments on Facebook, describing Poulter as like a 'little girl screaming during recess'.
Bishop,
the 38th PGA of America president, was reacting to the English Ryder Cup star
making critical remarks in his recently-released autobiography about Tom
Watson and Nick Faldo's methods as captains in the Europe vs United
States format.
APOLOGY BY TED BISHOP
Bishop released a statement after being removed as president. Here it is in full:
I want to apologise to Ian Poulter and anyone else that I might have offended with my remarks on social media that appeared on October 23, 2014. Particularly, I have great remorse that my comments contained the words “little girl” because I have always been a great advocate for girls and women in golf.
My two children, both girls, have made their careers in golf. I have a 4-year old granddaughter who I hope will someday play the game. In my 37-year career in golf, I have worked with many women to grow the sport and I have been a champion for inclusion and equal rights for women in golf.
However, this is a classic example of poor use of social media on my part and if I had the chance to hit the delete button on the things that I sent out yesterday, I would without hesitation.
The PGA of America asked me to avoid any interaction with the media in the past 24 hours and that is why I did not issue a formal and public apology, which I have wanted to do since early this morning.
This afternoon I was asked by my fellow Officers to resign my position as President. I declined because I wanted to speak to our PGA Board of Directors, offer a personal apology and let the due process take place in this matter.
The Board heard me out and then voted to impeach me as the 38th President. That is the due process and I respect that, as painful as it might be.
The PGA has also informed me that I will not become the Honorary President nor will I ever be recognised as a Past President in our Association’s history. These, along with the impeachment are drastic consequences for the offence I have committed, but I must live with them.
I take great pride in what we were able to accomplish in the last 23 months. Hopefully, we laid the groundwork for a successful future for the PGA of America. Today, all I have left is my PGA membership and that will always mean the world to me.
Ted Bishop, PGA
APOLOGY BY TED BISHOP
Bishop released a statement after being removed as president. Here it is in full:
I want to apologise to Ian Poulter and anyone else that I might have offended with my remarks on social media that appeared on October 23, 2014. Particularly, I have great remorse that my comments contained the words “little girl” because I have always been a great advocate for girls and women in golf.
My two children, both girls, have made their careers in golf. I have a 4-year old granddaughter who I hope will someday play the game. In my 37-year career in golf, I have worked with many women to grow the sport and I have been a champion for inclusion and equal rights for women in golf.
However, this is a classic example of poor use of social media on my part and if I had the chance to hit the delete button on the things that I sent out yesterday, I would without hesitation.
The PGA of America asked me to avoid any interaction with the media in the past 24 hours and that is why I did not issue a formal and public apology, which I have wanted to do since early this morning.
This afternoon I was asked by my fellow Officers to resign my position as President. I declined because I wanted to speak to our PGA Board of Directors, offer a personal apology and let the due process take place in this matter.
The Board heard me out and then voted to impeach me as the 38th President. That is the due process and I respect that, as painful as it might be.
The PGA has also informed me that I will not become the Honorary President nor will I ever be recognised as a Past President in our Association’s history. These, along with the impeachment are drastic consequences for the offence I have committed, but I must live with them.
I take great pride in what we were able to accomplish in the last 23 months. Hopefully, we laid the groundwork for a successful future for the PGA of America. Today, all I have left is my PGA membership and that will always mean the world to me.
Ted Bishop, PGA
Labels: GOLF NEWS
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Sunday, October 26, 2014
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