More Ryder Cup Ridiculousness: Ted Bishop Fired

Former PGA of America President Removed for Sexist Tweet

Chris Duthie

Honestly, will this absurd, let’s-hang-everyone-out-to-dry circus that has resulted from Team USA’s loss at the 2014 Ryder Cup ever end?

Let’s see… Thus far we have Phil Mickelson sparring with Tom Watson, Keegan Bradley lobbying for Freddie Couples to be captain, and Jack Nicklaus deriding the all-star “task force” created by the PGA of America to figure out how to win back the Cup.

And now we’ve just witnessed the keelhauling of Ted Bishop, who up until last Friday afternoon was president of the PGA of America. You’ve probably heard Bishop was unanimously impeached by the PGA’s board after he used Twitter to call Ian Poulter a “lil girl” for criticizing 2008 European Ryder Cup team captain Nick Faldo.

Bishop not only was booted 29 days before his two-year presidency ended, but he also lost the privilege of being recognized as a Past President and will not serve on the PGA’s board as Honorary President.

First, let’s all agree that Bishop’s sophomoric use of social media wasn’t good form, and his gender-based comment was insensitive. But did it deserve public castigation for a man that “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,” according to PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem?

Overreaction by the PGA of America? At the very least. But remember, it’s widely known that Bishop was instrumental—and, many say, unilateral—in giving Watson his second shot as Ryder Cup captain. That the U.S. lost the event as a result of Watson’s captaincy has somehow become the common consensus. Never mind that the Europeans simply flat-out outplayed the Americans.

The PGA of America’s off-with-his-head, politically correct posturing, in my opinion, suggests the organization was looking for any excuse to sack Bishop. It also appears to be calculated, considering the PGA of America itself was culpable for insisting Bishop not make a public apology during the critical hours after his Thursday afternoon Tweet.

It wasn’t until a full day later that we heard from Bishop:

“I want to apologize to Ian Poulter and anyone else that I might have offended with my remarks on social media that appeared on October 23, 2014,” said Bishop in a statement released Friday. “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.

“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,” he said.

Bishop reiterated his regret this morning on the Golf Channel’s “Morning Drive” program: “I created this mess,” said Bishop, taking full responsibility for his words. “I can’t overemphasize how sorry I am for what I did, how stupid it was on my part given the training I’ve had.”

That Team USA was so soundly thrashed, and that “Bishop’s pick” of Watson has become the point of blame for that loss, casts even more irascible suspicion over the PGA of America’s swift and ruthless move to impeach Bishop and excommunicate him.

Golf is a gentleman’s game? Apparently not in the hallowed halls of the PGA of America. A more moderate sanction—one that fit the infraction—would have been the appropriate response.

Will more heads roll over the Ryder Cup, an event originally designed to promote honor, sportsmanship and goodwill? Stay tuned.

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Chris Duthie is a contributor to Colorado AvidGolfer, the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. It publishes eight issues annually and proudly delivers daily content via www.coloradoavidgolfer.com.