Dottie Is Officially Let Out Of The Doghouse

Even though it was five years ago and there were signs Dottie Pepper might finally be forgiven for her honest (but inadvertently aired) assessment of the choking U.S. Solheim Cup team, forgiveness only officially came Wednesday as Meg Mallon named the former contestant-turned-announcer an assistant captain for next year's team.

Randall Mell reports:

Pepper, 46, was in tears Wednesday saying how grateful she was for this opportunity to return to the team.

The announcement opens the door to the possibility Pepper will one day become the U.S. Solheim Cup captain. For a time, that didn't seem possible.

“I just felt it was enough,” Mallon said of the alienation of Pepper. “It was just Dottie’s passion; it wasn’t ill will. I felt like Dottie needed to stop carrying this burden around.”

Comments

[Ted Mitchell]

Excellent. She accurately 'called it like she saw it' and was subjected to far too much scorn for doing so.

[Ted Ray's Pipe]

Besides being honest, her original comment was made in an off-the-air aside that should never have been transmitted to the broadcast audience. Happy for Dottie and the LPGA that Meg Mallon stepped up to do the right thing and move on.

[elf]

Glad for her, good for the team. Think the whole issue points to a larger conflict of interest. Dottie's comment was honest (if poorly worded), which is what she's supposed to do when she's on air. That being said, if you were called a choking dog, you'd probably take it personally too.

So what happens now if say, Creamer, chokes away the us open coming down the stretch? Does Dottie call it like she see's it? or does she moderate her comments to not upset a player she'll have to "coach" next year?

Love him or hate him, Johnny Miller calls it like he sees it, but there's no way he could be a US team captain, the players would revolt.

*note this situation is clearly not unique to Pepper, it's more of a larger comment, question

[Elyse]

worst part of dottie's appointment....potentially losing her as a commentator...

she was one of the few with pertinent, accurate analysis at the open

[Ivan Morris]

Well played, Captain Meg! She knows that Dottie will put some extra 'grrrr' into the USA team but I'll be cheering for Europe.

[DTF]

I think Dottie was also in the doghouse with Commish Blivets which exacerbated the situation. There's certainly no question about her competitiveness or will to win.

[rb]

"Johnny Miller calls it like he sees it, but there's no way he could be a US team captain, the players would revolt"

really?...are you an insider?...tell us more.

[rb]

Dottie's a good one...golf needs more like her...she knows the game and has been on the biggest stage for women's golf...even though I will be rooting for the Euros, I am a big Dottie Pepper fan. Plus I think she's from Saratoga Springs, NY...one of the best spots in the world!

[No Longer Used to be Former S&T Convert]

Elf is right, clearly a conflict of interest when someone is paid to provide an unbiased analysis of the same players that person will be coaching....even the players she will be coaching against.

[ol Harv]

Dottie was in the news a few weeks ago when she really dogged the former coach of Furman's women's team that recently got let go. Even though she may have been correct, she openly was quoted as saying the woman(a former LPGA Tour Pro) was a terrible choice when she got hired and blamed her for destroying the great reputation and tradition that Furman had with Beth Daniel, Betsy King and Pepper. Seems to me she has a habit of opening her mouth and spewing, which is fine, but she better be ready for things like never captaining a team to be a reality. I totally agree with the Johnny Miller comment. Very disliked by the players and they would never play for him IMO.

[Erik J. Barzeski]

Good for her. She's deserved it and didn't deserve the way she was treated for years for her honest and accurate comment.

[Rock]

May the best butts win.

[Carl Spachler]

Screw PC people - call them like you see them!

[Colin MacGillivray]

What if David Feherty is an assistant captain for the European, er make that, US Ryder Cup team?

[carnaptious and camsteerie]

Sheesh, thought we'd seen the back of her. Hope Meg Mallon remembers to pack a large roll of tape to cover Pepper's gob.

Actually, make that several rolls of tape!

[Ryan]

While much more subdued in his analysis, Frank Nobilo was assistant captian for the International President's Cup team, right?

[BrianS]

@Ryan - don't forget Azinger as Captain / ESPN Analyst

[Trevor]

It's sad how Dottie has had to lick boots, and cry. I still like Dottie, but have many fond memories of her bridge-burning days.

[BrianS]

What do you think they were more upset about: the "choking" or the "dogs" ?

[Friend]

@BrianS - that they were both true was the most bothersome.