Opinion & Analysis
PGA President Ted Bishop calls Poulter a “Lil Girl,” loses his job
Editor’s Note: After this story was published, the PGA of America Board of Directors voted to remove Ted Bishop, the 38th PGA President, for insensitive gender-based statements he posted on social media toward Ian Poulter. The Board deemed the remarks to be inconsistent with the policies of the PGA.
“The PGA of America understands the enormous responsibility it has to lead this great game and to enrich lives in our society through golf,” said PGA Chief Executive Officer Pete Bevacqua. “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.”
“The Members and Apprentices of the PGA of America must uphold the highest standards and values of the profession, as well as the manner in which we conduct ourselves at all times,” said Sprague, the PGA General Manager and Director of Golf at Malone (New York) Golf Club. “We apologize to any individual or group that felt diminished, in any way, by this unacceptable incident.”
“We understand and respect the PGA of America’s decision regarding Ted Bishop. 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.”
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Ted Bishop, the President of the PGA of America, is on a scorching hot seat for using a schoolyard diss against Ian Poulter on Twitter on Thursday evening. Well, it’s not recess anymore Mr. Bishop — you’re the PRESIDENT of the PGA of America.
“Faldo’s record stands by itself. Six majors and all-time RC points. Yours vs. His? Lil Girl.” Bishop said in a Tweet directed toward Poulter, while Bishop was reportedly with Nick Faldo at the Greenbrier for the Faldo Series junior program.
Poulter put President Bishop in his place and said what everyone with a brain was thinking.
“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.”
What spurred on the attempted “lil girl” insult? Poulter recently dropped his book entitled “No Limits,” where he was critical of both Nick Faldo, the losing captain of the European Ryder Cup team in 2008, and Tom Watson, losing captain of the 2014 U.S. Ryder Cup captain.
In 2008, Faldo called Sergio Garcia “useless” and said that he had “emotional and physical problems.” Things were so bad that at one point, Garcia told Faldo he that didn’t want to play.
“Faldo has lost a lot of respect from players because of what he said,” Poulter said in his book, regarding Faldo’s comments to the media that day. He also pointed out that Faldo captained the only losing team in 15 years. “So who’s useless? I think Faldo might need to have a little look in the mirror.”
Poulter also said that Watson’s decisions as Captain of the 2014 U.S. Ryder Cup team “completely baffled” him.
Bishop, along with his Twitter post, took to Facebook as well, coming to the defense of Faldo and Watson, saying Poulter has an inferior major championship and Ryder Cup record. He noted that Watson has won eight major championships and has a 10-3-1 Ryder Cup record, while Faldo has six major championships and the record for most Ryder Cup points.
“Really? Sounds like a little school girl squealing during recess. C’MON MAN!” Bishop posted on Facebook in response to Poulter’s comments in his book.
Bishop’s two-term as president ends next month, and he appears to already be checked out. The PGA of America, within its Play Golf America initiative, brings young golfers of both genders into the game of golf. The “lil girl” comment used in a demeaning context is not a good look for Bishop or the PGA of America.
“Obviously I could have selected some different ways to express my thoughts on Poulter’s remarks.” Bishop told the Associated Press in an email. “Golf had always been a sport where respect was shown to its icons. That seems to have gone by the wayside.”
Respect shown to icons? How about some respect for the youth of America, Mr. Bishop.
This past Monday, I played in the U.S. Amateur local qualifier at Rock Creek Country Club in Portland, Oregon. A full tee sheet from 7:30 a.m. to 1:55 p.m., the top 11 scores would make it to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying.
I teed off at 10:48 a.m.. With the 7:30 am tee time, you can get a feel for the leaders’ pace, and they were off and running on the challenging setup at Rock Creek.
View this post on Instagram
Getting to the highlight of the round on the par five 17th, a drive up the left side and 212 yards left to the front hole location. I took out a 5-iron with plans of middle of the green. The ball ended up 8 feet left of the hole, pin high. A slight downhill putt dropped in for an eagle 3 on the 17th. With the cut line looking to be anywhere from -2 to even par. This was the boost I had been waiting for all day.
With making par from the trees on 18, it was time to wait for a potential playoff with a posted score of one under par 71.
Three hours later, it was playoff time. 8 players for 6 spots. I made par on the playoff hole, which was good enough to advance to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying in July. USGA qualifiers sure deliver on all of the emotions in golf!
Club Junkie
Building my 2026 gamer WITB: Ranking the contenders and new putter projects – Club Junkie Podcast
The annual What’s In The Bag build is underway, and on this episode of Club Junkie, Brian breaks down the clubs currently leading the race for a spot in his 2026 gamer setup. From drivers and fairway woods to irons, wedges, and shafts, he ranks the equipment that’s performing best and explains what’s separating the front runners from the rest of the field.
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Jem
Dec 6, 2014 at 1:15 pm
Good thing Hans and Franz aren’t around anymore. Their “girly man” needling would probably get Saturday Night Live pulled off the air.
howie
Nov 6, 2014 at 5:04 am
lil’ girls around the world are p.o.’d for being compared to ian “in a bunch” poulter.
Mad-Mex
Oct 26, 2014 at 11:46 pm
Gee, wonder why golf is loosing players,,,,,
SBoss
Oct 27, 2014 at 8:02 am
If that comment keeps somebody from playing golf, then I hope that kind of soft person stays away from golf. Our society is soft enough. They’re treating Bishop like he killed somebody. It’s an old school yard saying that is probably past it’s time, but it’s not a hanging offense.
The PGA of America not only fired him, they decided to eliminate all mention of Bishop in the history of the PGA. They’re going to pretend he never happened! In effect, the records will show NO President for the last two years.
I challenge everyone to think about if YOU’VE ever said something like it…or, said something that you regretted? Said something that wasn’t smart or had time to think through? If you have, then STFU about Ted Bishop. He didn’t kill anyone. He made a comment that wasn’t smart. But, his punishment has FAR exceeded the crime.
Pete Bevacqua better hope he is as pure and clean as he’s pretending to be in this situation. What a bunch of hypocrites. You wanna know why golf is in trouble? “Leadership” like Bevacqua and his cronies. Grow up and toughen up people. Somebody’s comment shouldn’t have that much power over you…unless you’re WEAK. USA=United Softies of America.
Mad-Mex
Oct 28, 2014 at 8:21 pm
Maybe this page needs emotion icons, my post was SARCASM, the PGA and the rest of the “governing” bodies need to get the proverbial stick out of their behinds! If they did this to him, why have they not applied the same “toughness” when Tiger yells out some choice words? This type of attitude displayed by the PGA is why the United Softies of America (love that) keep losing Ryder cups, because we have forgotten it is a GAME and not a matter of life and death. By the way, I agree 100% with your post.
Golfing
Oct 26, 2014 at 10:01 am
Hope something good is in line for the game.
Ken
Oct 26, 2014 at 7:33 am
Unfortunate comment by Mr. Bishop, but good grief, we elect people to responsible positions after having said much worse. In other sports this kind of stuff is exalted.
Bainz
Oct 26, 2014 at 3:06 am
Political correctness gone mad – if somone is moaning on like a small child why not call it like that??
To get into sexism debate over this is a joke, pretty soon no-one is going to say what they think and the world will be a sterile boring place.
Poulter has a book to sell and will no doubt do well out of this, Faldo will always tell you what he thinks – thankfully. And Gracia was out of sorts in 2008 and played poorly – stats don’t lie we lost.
With all the vitriol posted on internet the fact someone is sacked for calling someone a lil girl is a joke, and Faldo criticised for being honest shows how nuts the world is right now.
snowman
Oct 26, 2014 at 11:24 pm
Agree… the comment was not sexist… cannot believe all this PC crap about Golf needs to be inclusive and wanting to attract more females to the game etc,etc. The comment was not sexist or anti-female. It’s a figure of speech. Bishop was saying Poulter was Whining like a Child (yes, a female child; so what!) Poulter has always been and continues to be a shameless a self-promoter. Clothing line that no one wears, spiky hair, I’m sick of him. He gets way to much “ink” considering that he is a mediocre talent. When Poulter is rightfully forgotten, Watson and Faldo will still have 14 Majors. Poulter is boring anyway,
Colin Gillbanks
Oct 28, 2014 at 10:12 am
Is this your application for the vacant PGA Presidents job?
You might want to re-think it.
Gautama
Oct 28, 2014 at 8:48 am
Couldn’t agree more. The whole thing just completely astounds me, to the point that I’m embarrassed for the media people who are talking about it as if it were a legitimate story. Yeah, odd decision for a person of his position to get into a personal battle on Twitter, but the sexism angle feels completely fabricated. Sad really.
Dumb old golf pro
Oct 25, 2014 at 11:02 pm
The PGA of America is a weak organization that does not support their membership in any way. the overwhelming majority of Club Pros are making less money than a McDonalds Manager. They give up holidays, weekends any any chance at a normal life. not a shock for them to throw Bishop out. Right or wrong, the PGA just wants their Members to pay dues to support the upper echelon in Palm Beach. They don’t care about anything but money, born on the backs of their Members. PC is ridiculous. Screw the PGA of America.
Brian
Oct 25, 2014 at 8:03 pm
Let’s not forget, Ian is well know for some unsavory name calling on twitter
http://www.sbnation.com/golf/2014/3/9/5488298/ian-poulter-twitter-hideki-matsuyama-wgc-cadillac-championship-2014
Jeff
Oct 25, 2014 at 2:29 pm
The old white men will be flaming on about reverse discrimination and how sad this is for Ted Bishop. Everybody else is held to some standard of accountability in their lives so we all get it. Can’t do stupid stuff when you represent more than yourself.
Pat M
Oct 26, 2014 at 1:31 pm
Ae you speaking English? Try a refresher course in 4th grade grammar.
SBoss
Oct 27, 2014 at 8:15 am
The “old” White Men represent a time in the country where men were actually men. Where people stood on their own two feet without putting their hands into another “mans” pocket. When the USA actually was the envy of the world. When prosperity was at an all time high….
Accountability was the cornerstone of the “old” White Men.
You’re the generation of soft and sniveling little boys that whine and shirk accountability. The generation of believing that you’re entitled to have you’re hands in another’s pocket….grab a piece of his work.
You’re right, “old” White Men don’t see the big deal here. Because they’ve got enough sense to know that somebody else’s words only have power over you if you’re weak. They weren’t smart comments. But, everybody makes stupid comments. EVERYBODY. Today, you’ve got to act like you’re perfect, that you’re above it. What BS….grow up. Move on. Don’t ruin somebody’s professional life over something so stupid. The times today are changing and the country is in big trouble.
ChrisG
Oct 27, 2014 at 12:47 pm
Maybe we are soft compared to 50 years ago. Or maybe society has changed and we have decided to stand up against bullying, oppression, and discrimination. When you represent the PGA of America, the simple reality is that you are not allowed to do or say stupid things, because the people you represent do not want you to.
I think you are right that the country is changing. Though the only reason it is in trouble is because of the so called “old white men” who still think its 1950 and oppression, bullying, name calling, and discrimination are all okay, and “just part of life’ and that people need to get over it. You sir, and all those that think like you, and refuse to accept that comments like this are no longer tolerable, are the problem, as you continue to perpetuate this cycle of oppression.
And don’t talk about hand outs when corporate America and the super rich receive far more welfare than the average American ever will.
Jeremy
Oct 27, 2014 at 3:31 pm
Boom. Well said.
SBoss
Oct 28, 2014 at 8:00 pm
I guess I just don’t understand why calling somebody a “LIL Girl” requires an impeachment and expunging of his tenure from the record. It’s a soft society no question. It’s not a better society and you wouldn’t know the difference because you weren’t around.
We’re stuck now with a bunch of creampuffs who complain about everything and who moan about all of the bad things that happen to them.
You know, you actually called Lil Girl “bullying” and “oppression” so we can all see how weak minded that you are…also, when you complain about “corporate welfare” I’d suggest that most corporations keep sniveling little boys like yourself employed with benefits throughout your mediocrity.
Maybe you should stop complaining about all of the “evils” of the rich and take a look in the mirror. You should also understand that the super rich are simply doing more for the economy and other people than you are…they do things DAILY that wouldn’t do ONCE. Some guys work hard in golf, some work hard in business. It’s unbecoming to complain about the success of others when they work at it harder.
Life and golf are intertwined. You don’t always get what you deserve. But, you typically get what you deserve in the end. And, if you complain about the other guys “breaks” or the “super rich” or whatever…it doesn’t help YOUR OWN game. It distracts from the main issue, which is that you’re making your own bed. Worrying about the other guys score won’t help you even a little bit. Keep your eye on your own ball…and mind your own business. And words only hurt if you’re soft…
Captain Oblivious
Oct 27, 2014 at 12:52 pm
Amen to that! Well said!
John
Oct 28, 2014 at 11:09 am
I am an “old white guy” and Mr. Bishop should know better than to engage in petty name calling on social media. He’s the president if the PGA not the Saturday morning skins game. The US is not going to hell in a hand cart, the opposite as a matter of fact. I was around 50 years ago and things weren’t so great especially if you were a person of color, a female, gay, or eligible to go to Vietnam. We, as a country, have grown up a great deal since then. Mr. Bishop apparently hasn’t. I have a daughter BTW who is a stand up young lady who hasn’t whined about anything since she was about four years old.
She’s a good golfer too…just saying.
TheLegend
Oct 25, 2014 at 2:09 pm
“Lil girl” is really not that bad a comment. This is crazy to me. That comment is said all the time. Poulter is a lil girl. Everyone knows it now!
rer4136
Oct 27, 2014 at 10:08 am
He is headed the way of Colin Montgomery. What should we expect from a country that thinks same sex marriage is an important issue. Political correctness run a muck. Am I allowed to say that?
wineyax
Oct 25, 2014 at 10:45 am
I hope this quietens down Poulter’s twitter account for a bit.
Dick
Oct 25, 2014 at 9:08 am
Sounds like Faldo and Watson are the real culprits.
MikeH
Oct 25, 2014 at 8:47 am
Whether you like Poulter or not, what Bishop wrote was unacceptable and he had to go, period! Folks, the man was the President of the PGA!!! What on earth was he thinking or drinking? To be erased from history is brutal,no doubt, but it sends a very strong message that discrimination and sexism will no longer (because it was for a very long time) be tolerated. It was a sad week for American golf because Bishop’s comments undermined a lot of the progress that has been made to grow the game among women and minorities who were excluded because they were not considered equal. What a mess…deeply disappointing to say the least.
TheLegend
Oct 25, 2014 at 2:04 pm
This is America. He should be able to say what ever he want’s. The Man just lost his life over a comment. I just lost respect for the pga.
SB
Oct 25, 2014 at 2:59 pm
The man hardly lost his life….. He’s always held his well paid Professional position at his club in Indiana. Don’t shed a tear for this guy….. shed it for the thousands of PGA/LPGA Professionals that had years of hard work of growing the game of golf ruined on twitter….
TheLegend
Oct 25, 2014 at 11:58 pm
No one cares about this comment. Its not going to hurt golf.
SB
Oct 26, 2014 at 11:03 pm
Golf doesn’t need any more negative press… It’s obviously been in decline for years and this doesn’t help. You are likely right that the average golfer won’t care about his comments though….. because fewer and fewer care anything about golf at all.
SBoss
Oct 27, 2014 at 8:17 am
Really? Years of hard work ruined on Twitter? Man, you’re a drama queen. LOL.
pcv
Oct 27, 2014 at 8:04 pm
explain to me how the game of golf was ruined? It’s not stopping me from playing
Manny
Oct 25, 2014 at 5:29 pm
You mean “Merica” They took our jobs!!!
papichulosteve
Oct 25, 2014 at 8:57 pm
hahaha ‘WHAT ABOUT FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS!!! DUUURRR!!!!’
the man, just like everyone else is free to say whatever they want, but that doesn’t mean what they say doesn’t have a consequence.
Jeremy
Oct 25, 2014 at 8:59 pm
This is America, and he is free to say whatever he wants. But that freedom does not come with a freedom from the consequences of his words and actions. Of course he has a right to say what he wants. And the rest of us have a right to hold him accountable for his words and actions in the court of public opinion.
Jeff R
Oct 26, 2014 at 9:34 pm
Freedom is speech gives you the right to speak about our government without action being taking against you. It does not apply or give you the right to say anything you want without consequences.
Will
Oct 25, 2014 at 10:21 pm
Golf is loosing players in part because it is run by too many out of touch people. Like it or not America is changing and the old mentality that sees no problem with this comment is going to push even more people away. Good for the PGA. The game needs inclusive leadership. It’s not about freon of speech, it’s about attitudes that make people see golfers as cultural dinosaurs.
MikeH
Oct 26, 2014 at 9:10 am
My friend, a position of President, regardless of context, carries with it leadership responsibilities that define the direction of an organization. Bishop’s comments were not in the best interest of the PGA nor golf in general…he had to go.
SB
Oct 26, 2014 at 11:06 pm
+1
Very well said.
Robert
Oct 25, 2014 at 10:10 pm
Gimme a break!
dwntnbrown
Oct 26, 2014 at 2:37 pm
let it be known that lil girls are more than responsible for the firing. if it were not for what they have between their legs there would be a bounty on their ears
TMElectric
Oct 25, 2014 at 6:37 am
100 posts in and nobody is defending the “lil girl” that Bishop referred to. Maybe she didn’t like being compared to Ian…????
Pat M
Oct 26, 2014 at 1:33 pm
Poulter routinely has kicked America’s arse at The Ryder Cup. Bishop should get over it. They should have done drug testing on US players 15 years ago but they wanted another Lance Armstrong.
travis
Oct 25, 2014 at 1:33 am
first time posting, and really wondering why….
We are still talking about the f***ing ryder cup and the f***ing ryder cup from 2008? Get over it. And both of these guys are wrong.
EvanJB
Oct 25, 2014 at 12:10 am
Roger Goodell hid information about a player bearing his wife and nothing happened. The head of FIFA said that female soccer players should play in bikinis to boost ratings, and nothing happened. Ted, a man who has done a significant amount for the women’s game, calls someone a girl and gets fired, and will never be recognised as PGA president. Ridiculous.
Joel
Oct 25, 2014 at 8:12 am
There is perfectly good reason for this…
1) Who cares about soccer
2) Ray Rice averages over 4 yds per carry in his career C’mon MAN!
3) Who cares about soccer
Xreb
Oct 25, 2014 at 9:00 am
Who cares about soccer ? – just about everyone in the world minus the USA
Guantanemo
Oct 25, 2014 at 11:06 am
Who cares about football? (I’m sorry, that’s what pretty much everyone else in the world calls it) What Xreb said, pretty much everyone in the world except for the USA.
Jeremy
Oct 25, 2014 at 11:22 am
The fact that those other figureheads did those things and didn’t lose their jobs doesn’t mean it’s wrong that Ted Bishop lost his. It’s wrong that they didn’t (at least in Goodell’s case, I’m not familiar enough with the FIFA situation to have an opinion).
Mccance79
Oct 24, 2014 at 11:51 pm
A man in his position should not take to social media like that nor make such an inappropriate remark as he did. He should of known better.
mrjoe
Oct 24, 2014 at 11:45 pm
Dumb move, Ted. You deserved to get canned.
Rich
Oct 25, 2014 at 5:12 am
+1, but Poulter is a whinger!
B
Oct 24, 2014 at 10:34 pm
I wonder if Tom Watson will be commenting on PGA of America firing his buddy Ted Bishop.
Matthew Carter
Oct 24, 2014 at 11:19 pm
Well done PGA.
Ian, you are the man!
Mr. Bishop crossed the line.
Now he has some time to reconsider his name calling…… What a dork.
Wm
Oct 24, 2014 at 10:24 pm
It seems the old boys club is alive and well in America. These derogatory comments are something we expect from inside the confines of a private country club on men’s night. How are you going to grow the game when guys like these are still running the PGA?
Jimbo
Oct 24, 2014 at 10:06 pm
White belts may not be “phaggy”, but they are symbol of douchebaggery.
HAHA
Oct 24, 2014 at 9:34 pm
The WORLD is laughing at American golf. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA!
Sodapoppin
Oct 25, 2014 at 5:25 am
HAHAHAHAHA so true… First they fail to win the Ryder Cup, and now they have to call the European names… So LOL…
Sodapoppin
Oct 25, 2014 at 5:25 am
Europeans*
Gautama
Oct 28, 2014 at 8:56 am
750MM Europeans, 315MM Americans. It actually shouldn’t ever be close, should it?
Colin Gillbanks
Oct 28, 2014 at 11:51 am
This old chestnut again.
The numbers are irrelevant. A complete red herring.
Golf barely has any kind of professional presence in vast swathes of Europe. Over half of that number you’ve mentioned is made up by the likes of Russia and countries that came out of the old USSR. Golf is still considered a minority sport even in some of the western European countries like Spain and Germany also.
The world rankings tell the true picture. There’s no imbalance here.
gvogel
Oct 24, 2014 at 8:50 pm
It appears to me that this affair is casting the PGA of America as an irrelevant organization.
The sooner the PGA Tour takes over stewardship of the Ryder Cup, the better for everyone concerned.
B
Oct 24, 2014 at 8:48 pm
PGA president fired for ‘insensitive’ remarks
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/25/us-golf-pga-bishop-idUSKCN0ID2JD20141025
Desmond
Oct 24, 2014 at 7:54 pm
Never drink and tweet…
Dev
Oct 26, 2014 at 12:09 am
That was my first thought too.
Lance
Oct 24, 2014 at 7:35 pm
Attack, attack!!!- must protect golf’s unblemished image & “Grow the game”! Drug problem? What drug problem?
PC gone nuts
Tyler
Oct 24, 2014 at 6:51 pm
God the world is becoming over sensitive, there is war, people starving, people dying. But people get mad cause someone called someone else a lil girl, give me a break grow up and get a backbone and if someone calls you a lil girl more then likely your acting like one. Man up.
Rwj
Oct 24, 2014 at 9:57 pm
Exactly…but it’s only going to get worse. Taylor Swifts new album gets more attention then world problems…it’s all about money
Brian
Oct 24, 2014 at 6:43 pm
Wow I can’t believe he actually lost his job over this. When political correctness goes too far……
dr bloor
Oct 24, 2014 at 8:17 pm
Most of us refer to it as “living in the twenty-first century.” But if it will be easier on your testosterone-driven world view, just think of it as him getting canned because he’s wrecking a jillion-dollar brand that he was in charge of.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/bridgetbrennan/2013/02/07/pga-looks-to-women-to-grow-golf/
Mike
Oct 24, 2014 at 6:36 pm
Well this just in Bishop done
http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/pga-president-bishop-relieved-duties/
kloyd0306
Oct 24, 2014 at 5:17 pm
Wasn’t Poulter a Faldo Capt’s pick?
No winners here though. Both Poulter and Bishop look like clowns.
The PGA can do better and Poulter is desperate for limelight but his lack of talent gets in the way.
No Name
Oct 24, 2014 at 4:57 pm
I cannot wait for the day when Poulter finally falls of the face of the Earth. Such a pompous piece of dog excrement.
Jeremy
Oct 24, 2014 at 5:04 pm
At least when Ted Bishop and Ian Poulter hurl childish insults on the internet they have the guts to offer their names. Seriously dude…
No Name
Oct 24, 2014 at 6:59 pm
Ahhh…the old internet tough guy. Don’t pretend you are all high and mighty because you used “your” first name. Your username shows no more about who you are than mine. Get over it.
Jeremy
Oct 24, 2014 at 8:34 pm
Right. The guy anonymously calling people dog excrement is, I suppose, the clever and witty chap adding loads to the conversation, but I’m the “internet tough guy” for calling him out. Tough crowd, sheesh…
ashley
Oct 25, 2014 at 3:38 am
No name & Jeremy stop being a lil girl! Your as bad as poulter
B
Oct 24, 2014 at 5:15 pm
I’d say the majority of people worldwide will say that Ian Poulter has far better skills of his trade than Ted Bishop does… Right?
B
Oct 24, 2014 at 4:54 pm
Ian Poulter will play this for everything it’s worth. When the media asks Poulter questions about it he’ll take every opportunity to publicly express his dismay at Ted Bishop’s actions.
Poulter will absolutely love this and eat it up…all at PGA of America and Ted Bishop’s expense.
B
Oct 24, 2014 at 4:39 pm
Tour players shocked by PGA president’s ‘Lil girl’ shot at Ian Poulter
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nbc-yahoo-sports/tour-players-shocked-by-pga-president-s–lil-girl–shot-at-ian-poulter-142404033-golf.html
Shakers97
Oct 24, 2014 at 4:31 pm
Ted Bishop fails to see the irony of criticising Poulter for criticising someone when they themselves haven’t been there and done it.
bosse
Oct 25, 2014 at 4:02 am
+1 ! never understood why icons can’t be critiqued, or why they should avoid criticism for their leadership because they have x number of individual successes. that basically discriminate anyone but tiger and nicklaus to discuss golf.
jeez some more 2014 manners to pga please, such as not hiding drug abuse, allowing negative press. not arguing as the old white men they are but taking amore modern stand point to things..
and using female derogatory comments, is just old and so past due. step up!
B
Oct 24, 2014 at 4:25 pm
Ted Bishop must resign PGA presidency after sexist ‘Lil Girl’ comments aimed at Ian Poulter
http://www.sbnation.com/golf/2014/10/24/7057123/ted-bishop-ian-poulter-comments-lil-girl-ryder-cup-2014
B
Oct 24, 2014 at 4:26 pm
Graeme McDowell backs Ian Poulter after Ted Bishop calls him ‘little girl’
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/11187034/Graeme-McDowell-backs-Ian-Poulter-after-Ted-Bishop-calls-him-little-girl.html
B
Oct 24, 2014 at 4:27 pm
PGA president Ted Bishop is a camera-obsessed buffoon and his petty insults towards Ian Poulter invite ridicule
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/rydercup/11185430/PGA-president-Ted-Bishop-is-a-camera-obsessed-buffoon-and-his-petty-insults-towards-Ian-Poulter-invite-ridicule.html
B
Oct 24, 2014 at 4:31 pm
PGA OF AMERICA PRESIDENT CALLING IAN POULTER ‘LIL GIRL’ PROMPTS CALLS FOR RESIGNATION
http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-Sports/2014/10/24/PGA-President-Calls-Ian-Poulter-a-Lil-Girl-For-Whining-about-Faldo-and-Watson
B
Oct 24, 2014 at 4:33 pm
Looks like Ted Bishop has about the same leadership skills at Tom Watson!
Kevin
Oct 24, 2014 at 4:02 pm
Lost in this little tussle is the concept that maybe Sergio needs to accept his captain’s assessment of his poor performance. I find myself rooting for Sergio, but in the past he has proven himself to be very immature too often. I’m sure Faldo regrets saying it, and perhaps Poulter should have let Sergio fight his own battles. It’s obvious that in defeat, the Europeans don’t handle it any better than the Americans do.
AZ Golfman
Oct 24, 2014 at 3:59 pm
Poulter is irrelevant in golf. In 20 years it will be like he never existed in this game. After all the game and previous champions have given him and his family, he should thank them every day. These players forget that before guys like Watson, Nicklaus, Woods, etc., golf was looked at as a country club hobby and paid their players peanuts.
Jeremy
Oct 24, 2014 at 4:14 pm
What you think of Ian Poulter, and his overall relevance in the game, is besides the point. It’s beneath the office of the president of anything but a high school juggling club to take to Twitter to lob childish insults at a member of his organization.
gvogel
Oct 24, 2014 at 3:56 pm
In the locker room, to a bunch of his buddies, Ted Bishop can call Ian Poulter whatever he wants. Why he would do that is beyond me, unless Poulter was talking in his (Bishop’s) backswing or something like that. Often, when we demean someone else, it really reflects upon our own insecurities.
In a public forum? Ted Bishop should know better. It’s not funny; it’s not even relevant.
B
Oct 24, 2014 at 3:49 pm
Ted Bishop needs to be relieved of his position immediately (post-haste). And, the PGA of America needs to issue a public apology to Ian Poulter.
Sounds like Bishop just can’t get over the heat of Tom Watson’s complete and dismal failure as the U.S.’s Ryder Cup Captain.
enrique
Oct 24, 2014 at 4:26 pm
agreed here
Jafar
Oct 24, 2014 at 3:42 pm
They make millions of dollars and play golf.
No one should be complaining about anything.
Jeremy
Oct 24, 2014 at 3:35 pm
‘m certain we all say some pretty insensitive and obnoxious things amongst our friends when no one’s listening.
It’s quite another thing for the president of the PGA to broadcast such childish behavior on Twitter for the whole world to see. It doesn’t make a lick of difference if you like Ian Poulter or not. Ted Bishop acted immature and unprofessional and Poulter’s response was spot on.
Ty Webb
Oct 24, 2014 at 2:57 pm
All this political correctness makes me sick.
Gregg
Oct 24, 2014 at 6:35 pm
Amen……
Maybe they should have a cage match on WWE I’d pay to see Poulter get his a$$ kicked
spazo
Oct 24, 2014 at 2:49 pm
i like ted bishop a lot more today than i did yesterday.
wendell
Oct 24, 2014 at 2:10 pm
I love all the negative comments towards Poulter from all of these golf professionals who play on tour every week. lol
Geoff Martin
Oct 24, 2014 at 1:35 pm
Good job Ted, you just got me to buy Ian’s book.
Michael
Oct 24, 2014 at 1:22 pm
I understand that people think that people are too sensitive these days and I’m not saying that I disagree. However, someone employed as President of the PGA should not be arguing on a public forum with another person employed by the same organization. The reverse is true as well. Also, when the argument resorts to name-calling of any kind, then that makes it that much more unprofessional.
brian
Oct 24, 2014 at 1:19 pm
This is the product of of over sensitive media fishing for a story then trying to turn a sunfish into a whale. I would put this in the category of the ” tiger is wearing jeans” story.
Dpavs
Oct 24, 2014 at 1:15 pm
Have to agree and actually not sure Poulter is going to get much sympathy nor will most people find Bishop’s comments that appalling. They were certainly in bad taste but just not that worthy of an article focusing on the event.
I also have to agree that as a whole America if not the world has become over sensitive.
… and as for Poulter maybe if he did not agree with Faldo or even took offense with his book, it might have been better for him to just “suck it up” and move on rather than engage in a personal reprisal.
brian
Oct 24, 2014 at 1:23 pm
Poulter is going to milk this thing for for every thing its worth. Guy loves controversy and drama since his golf mediocre golf game isn’t exactly putting him in the headlines…
brian
Oct 24, 2014 at 1:24 pm
*his mediocre golf game
Ian
Oct 24, 2014 at 2:22 pm
*his mediocre golf game? *her mediocre golf game!!!
Machine
Oct 24, 2014 at 12:57 pm
Pussification of America. As a female, I can’t stand PC emo sissy boys who cry over nonsense.
John
Oct 24, 2014 at 7:13 pm
As a male, your opinion is irrelevant. See sexism doesn’t feel so good.
ashley
Oct 25, 2014 at 4:00 am
Machine don’t pretend to know what p.c means, leave the debating to the men. See i can be sexist to.
Los A
Oct 24, 2014 at 12:46 pm
People are overly sensitive nowadays. My son was upset that his high school golf coach (absolute legend) told him he looked like a ‘homo’ with a white belt. I laughed and told him coach was right. He could have used a little more tact, but my wife and I were fine with what was said because there was truth behind the statement. Why get upset or complain over silly stuff.
Jeff B
Oct 24, 2014 at 1:24 pm
Your son is going to kill you in your sleep. Way to stand up for your boy, jerk.
mrjoe
Oct 24, 2014 at 1:26 pm
Nothing like 3 adults teaming up to put down a high school kid! SMACKDOWN
Jeez, man. How old are you?
blink3665
Oct 24, 2014 at 1:35 pm
Wow… Just… wow…
Please tell me what a ‘homo’ looks like. I didn’t know that a whole group of people had a uniform. The homophobic statement by the coach needed to be corrected, not endorsed. If you disapprove of the sexuality of another human, keep your thoughts to yourself. There is no need to spread hate or inequality.
golfiend
Oct 24, 2014 at 1:44 pm
Funny comment … because I’m sure many if not most of us guys over 35 years old think the same way.
mgm
Oct 24, 2014 at 1:56 pm
I’m sure a high school golf coach is an absolute legend. An absolute legendary failure in life more like it.
Forsbrand
Oct 24, 2014 at 3:15 pm
Ha ha absolute legend, aka frank the tank , keep on chugging and homo bashing! INDEED
Phil
Oct 24, 2014 at 2:28 pm
Coach, you and your wife are disgusting…
AZ Golfman
Oct 24, 2014 at 4:04 pm
i would of b-slapped him with that white belt.
melrosegod
Oct 24, 2014 at 4:21 pm
Great parenting! With a dad like you in his corner, who needs an ignorant playground bully?
Shakers97
Oct 24, 2014 at 4:28 pm
You’re an utter moron. What a lucky boy your son is to have an idiot like you as his Dad.
Rich
Oct 24, 2014 at 4:57 pm
You are what’s wrong with this world. I feel sorry for your son that his parents see nothing wrong with some redneck jock insulting him. If that was my kid, I’d be marching straight into the office of the education department in my area and have the guy sacked. He should never be a teacher/coach ever again. You and your wife should be ashamed.
ChrisG
Oct 27, 2014 at 12:56 pm
Rich, (and everyone else who feels the “homo” remark is unacceptable, and the parental reaction even less so) I thank you for accepting the realities and values of the new millennium. Its nice to see people on a golf forum who are not stuck in 1950.
Jeremy
Oct 24, 2014 at 5:38 pm
See, sometimes it’s better to keep quiet than share your dumbest moments on the internet.
Sincerely,
Hetero with a white belt.
ChrisG
Oct 27, 2014 at 1:01 pm
How many pros wear white belts? For a coach to call a player a “homo” for his choice of belt color is beyond ignorant and implies that anyone that cares about how they look on a golf course is homosexual is unacceptable. I am pretty sure nobody called Rory a “homo” for wearing a white belt.
http://www.irishcentral.com/opinion/others/no-wearing-of-the-green-for-rory-mcilroy-at-us-masters-as-adam-scott-claims-victory-203386391-238178731.html
But keep on keeping on the ignorant redneck American attitude.
Jeff
Oct 24, 2014 at 12:46 pm
Can anyone imagine the President of the European tour making a comment like this? About an American player? Because it wouldn’t happen. It’s always old, white, American men that think popular opinion is on their side and they can be unapologetic and childish, because they think they’re speaking only to like minds. In Bishop’s mind, all Americans feel this way, he’s only saying what the rest of them are too afraid to. Trouble is, its a smaller and smaller group all the time.
NOW enter Poults, a guy that has made his career at least the last few years on the PGA Tour in America. He lives in Florida and has children, has made his life here. Maybe he hasn’t won a major but he’s certainly earned his spot on the Ryder Cup teams, my point is, dudes worked hard to make it here from Europe. It’s offensive as hell to have the American president of the PGA say things comparing a modern player to two dinosaurs in a negative light. I haven’t Poulters book, but I will buy it now.
You don’t speak for me Ted. In fact you just cost a lot of PGA professionals money, nobody wants to be associated with sour grapes.
Kevin
Oct 24, 2014 at 12:43 pm
If you don’t like Poulter reminding you of Europe’s success, it’s pretty simple, just beat him. Referring to him as a little girl is however, quite sexist, and wrong on many levels. I have a delightful little niece. I would hate for her to think anything is wrong with being a little girl.
west
Oct 24, 2014 at 1:04 pm
You’re right, there is nothing wrong with being a girl. He should have called him a: “whinny baby”…
Jeremy
Oct 24, 2014 at 3:30 pm
There’s nothing wrong with being a baby.
west
Oct 24, 2014 at 5:07 pm
I like babies, just not whinny ones…
Colin Gillbanks
Oct 28, 2014 at 10:23 am
You should be fired from this forum for being ‘whine-ist’*.
*I realise this isn’t a real word. Or a real ‘ism’.
HP
Oct 24, 2014 at 12:39 pm
It’s what happens to Americans when they go to the UK. They listen to the candid, dry, running commentary from the hoi polloi and it just comes out that way. It’s tabloid banter at its best, and Bishop forgot that you can’t be so blunt in American media. Especially on Twitter or Facebook. Those things are not the Daily Mail or The Sun newspapers!
But that’s how people talk in the UK. And he’s just carrying on. Poulter should have laughed it off, but he’s Americanized now too much and his attempt to walk the high road isn’t helping him, since he went slagging off Faldo to begin with. They should both shake hands and just say it was all in good fun, all this smack talking! It’s what was missing from the Ryder Cup this time, actually!
golfiend
Oct 24, 2014 at 12:37 pm
He’s pretty hip referring to “Lil” … Lil Wayne, Lil Kim, Lil John, Lil Bow Wow, Lil Romeo, etc … now Lil Girl
Jeff
Oct 24, 2014 at 12:32 pm
Ted Bishop is what’s wrong with golf. He thinks he’s right, there’s no point even trying to convince him. His mind is made up. He is also wrong. Poulter obviously has less of a major championship record than Faldo and Watson. So does almost every golfer on the planet. 2 things Ted, Poulter is still reLevant in the world of golf, and he just won the Ryder cup, say whatever you like. you can’t change these two things.
Tank
Oct 24, 2014 at 12:30 pm
There has been a lot of gossip in the golf world lately! Hahaha I love it all.. Also makes for some amazingly terrible comments and opinions from people who think they aren’t idiots. Lots of laughs these days!! Thank you golf wrx for bringing together all these know-it-alls who collectively don’t have clue
adolfo
Oct 24, 2014 at 12:16 pm
Everyone knows that IJP will say whats on his mind and people either like it or not. Bishop was pretty much a child on this one. Way to take the low road teddy
Jake Anderson
Oct 24, 2014 at 12:12 pm
Ted Bishop’s comment showed a sexist and ageist attitude. He should no longer be president of the PGA of America.
SB
Oct 24, 2014 at 5:30 pm
100% agree with this comment. This is the real story here. His comments regarding Poulter’s record compared to Faldo are irrelevant. The story that will make headlines is that the President of the PGA of America is exactly what people think he is…. A rich, sexist, ignorant, old white guy in a stuffy suit who out of one side of his mouth says that golf needs more women and girls involved, and out of the other side makes comments that are degrading to the same demographic he claims to value so highly….. Somebody get this guy a PR consultant…..
West
Oct 24, 2014 at 11:56 am
Yeah, Poulter dresses like a drama queen and lives like a diva. Good golfer, but wouldn’t buy him a beer or ask for his sig if he walked into the same pub…
Ted has the right to draw his own line in the sand…but should tread cautiously when making his opinion public.
And since when is GolfWRX now the TMZ of the golf world???
Danny
Oct 24, 2014 at 12:14 pm
Nobody who is of age to buy someone a beer should be asking grown men for autographs.
west
Oct 24, 2014 at 1:09 pm
it wasn’t meant to be taken literally, but to represent “admiration.” But now that you have taken the time to be a troll, I want to buy you a beer and get your sig…
mo
Oct 24, 2014 at 11:51 am
Poulter can seem childish at times but referring to her as a “lil girl” by the leader of the PGA of America was unprofessional. 😀
Cris
Oct 24, 2014 at 11:47 am
I don’t like Ian Poulter. I admit it. However, Mr. Bishop has crossed the line. The PGA of America should terminate him with cause and issue a statement apologizing to Poulter.
Robert Boyd
Oct 24, 2014 at 11:43 am
This is out of control. The public figures in this mess should think before they speak or tweet or author a book or whatever. Silly school yard stuff.
Ben
Oct 24, 2014 at 11:42 am
I don’t care if Bishop wants to call out Poulter but using language that’s demeaning to women isn’t the right way to do it, especially when it comes to golf’s reputation as past-time for prejudiced old white men.
Danny
Oct 24, 2014 at 11:38 am
Poulter sucks, he is a nobody. Glad someone finally said it, just probably the wrong person, but I’m not going to hate on a guy for a)speaking his mind, b) speaking the truth. Johnny Miller gets slammed for doing the same thing.
Golf has turned into 2nd grade kids soccer where everyone plays and nobody has anything to say about anything. This is refreshing. I like it. We need more of it.
dr bloor
Oct 24, 2014 at 12:05 pm
*Please* reassure us and tell us that you don’t have any daughters.
Danny
Oct 24, 2014 at 12:13 pm
Stop being so sensitive, it doesn’t bring down women. You going to tell me it brings down children for being whiny? It’s a phrase, has been for years. If someone calls me a baby I don’t argue that it puts down newborns
mgm
Oct 24, 2014 at 1:52 pm
Danny: you suck and you are a nobody.
I am:
A) speaking my mind
And
B) speaking the truth
End of story
Golf used to pride itself on professionalism not just blind idol worship
nikkyd
Oct 24, 2014 at 11:36 am
Poulter a little girl? Finally! Someone said it! Hes more worried about his image than his golf game
MartyMouse
Oct 26, 2014 at 5:51 pm
Agreed! He’s a wuss! Uh oh, guess I be sh*t canned tomorrow! Seriously… Fired over this? Stupid waste of everybody’s time. Get some thicker skin folks.
Pccasstpro
Oct 24, 2014 at 11:05 am
Does Twitter fall under the PGA of America’s Code of Ethics Bylaws and Regulations ? Would this not fall under conduct unbecoming a Professional? I got pulled up in front of the ethics board years ago because I said , and I admit it , fairly loud profanity after hooking a ball OB during a tournament! Hold Ted Bishop to the same standards that apprentices, Class “A” , and Master Professionals are held to in a public forum ! Public ridicule , is not conduct becoming a professional , not matter how many spokeman you have to come out and correct you own mis-step. It is his Twitter account, not the PGA of America’s !