LPGA Commish Issues Statement On Controversy That No One Even Knew Existed!
/A rare mis-step from LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan, who oddly felt compelled to issue his condemnation of the current Golf Digest cover featuring Paulina Gretzky.
The "controversy" consisted of some questions and honest answers from LPGA players. This statement-worthy moment only festered after Whan issued this statement via email to all media, which at least was dumped on a Friday evening. Still..
Obviously we’re disappointed and frustrated by the editorial direction (and timing) Golf Digest has chosen with the announcement of its most recent magazine cover.
If a magazine called Golf Digest is interested in showcasing females in the game, yet consistently steers away from the true superstars who’ve made history over the last few years, something is clearly wrong.
Inbee Park wins 3-straight major championships in 2013. Stacy Lewis, in 2012, becomes the first American to win Rolex Player of the Year since 1994. Lexi Thompson and Lydia Ko set historical benchmarks while blossoming as the Tour’s youngest ever champions. And evidently, not one has been “cover worthy” for Golf Digest. “Growing the game” means a need for more role models and in these exciting times for women’s golf, the LPGA is overflowing with them.
At this point, I’m done talking about it and I hope the attention of the media and fans will shift in the proper direction.
Uh, their attention is now shifted onto this cover to see what all the fuss is about! And the slideshow.
The true stars representing women’s golf have a grand stage this weekend at the Kraft Nabisco Championship. I’m confident that the year’s first major championship will result in another compelling champion and the traditional Sunday leap into Poppie’s Pond will grab the media spotlight it so deserves.
Maybe, but this statement isn't helping matters.
**Holly Sonders, last year's cover model for the Fitness issue, told Rex Hoggard on Morning Drive that she's saddened by the outrage over the cover and defended Golf Digest as well as Golf Channel's coverage of the LPGA Tour.
Here is Morning Drive's discussion of the "controversy," a segment prompted by Commissioner Mike Whan's statement. Paige Mackenzie, current LPGA player, talks about why she finds it "interesting" that Paulina was selected. Former Golf Digest Director of Photography Matt Ginella talks about how the cover decision works.
The Golf Central report. One of three GolfChannel.com video stories on the homepage about the controversy, pushing aside all but one recap of round two from the Kraft Nabisco Championship.
**To the point raised in this initial post, note the view you get on LPGA.com and GolfChannel.com. Lots on this "controversy" taking away from the major championship at hand which has an outrageously good leaderboard through 36.
Note three of the five videos pertain to the "controversy."
