The PGA of America Board of Directors voted to remove Bishop on October 23 after he referred to Ian Poulter as a “Lil Girl” on Twitter and Facebook.
Ted Bishop, the 38th president of The PGA of America, has been voted out of office after referring to Ian Poulter as a “Lil Girl” in response to Poulter’s derogatory comments about Nick Faldo in his recently released autobiography, the Golf Channel reported.
Poulter, in a statement released exclusively to Golf Channel, called Ted Bishop’s remarks “shocking and disappointing.”
“Is being called a ‘lil girl’ meant to be derogatory or a put down?” Poulter told Golf Channel. “That’s pretty shocking and disappointing, especially coming from the leader of the PGA of America. No further comment.”
In his autobiography, “No Limits,” the English golfer and European Ryder Cup mainstay said players had “lost a lot of respect” for Nick Faldo because of his recent comments calling Sergio Garcia useless in the 2008 Ryder Cup, which Faldo captained. That happens to be the only time Europe has lost the matches this century, the Golf Channel reported.
Bishop, who was instrumental in naming Tom Watson captain of the American squad, then led the charge to create a task force in the wake of a lopsided loss, hit back at Poulter over the comments about Faldo, the Golf Channel reported.
“It makes me laugh. Faldo is talking about someone being useless at the 2008 Ryder Cup,” Poulter wrote. “That’s the Ryder Cup where he was captain. That’s the Ryder Cup where the Europe team suffered a heavy defeat. And he was captain. So who’s useless?
“Faldo might need to have a little look in the mirror. I have always got on great with Faldo in the past and I have a great deal of respect for everything he has achieved but this feels like sour grapes. It feels like a guy who is still bitter that he lost in 2008.”
Poulter’s comments didn’t sit well with Bishop, who appeared with Faldo earlier this week on “Morning Drive” to promote Faldo’s junior golf program:
@IanJamesPoulter -Faldo’s record stands by itself. Six majors and all-time RC points. Yours vs. His? Lil Girl. @NickFaldo006 @pgaofamerica
— Ted Bishop (@tedbishop38pga) October 23, 2014
Bishop also expanded on his thoughts in a post to his personal Facebook page, which, like the tweet, was deleted more than an hour after publishing, the Golf Channel reported.
“Used to be athletes who had lesser records or accomplishments in a sport never criticized the icons,” Bishop wrote. “Tom Watson (8 majors and a 10-3-1 Ryder Cup record) and Nick Faldo (6 majors and all-time Ryder Cup points leader) get bashed by Ian James Poulter. Really? Sounds like a little school girl squealing during recess. C’MON MAN!”
Bishop said in an email to The Associated Press, “Obviously I could have selected some different ways to express my thoughts on Poulter’s remarks. Golf had always been a sport where respect was shown to its icons. That seems to have gone by the wayside.”
The PGA of America Board of Directors voted to remove Bishop from office for the “insensitive gender-based statements,” remarks that the Board deemed 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.”
Under the Bylaws of the PGA Constitution, Vice President Derek Sprague has been appointed the Association’s Interim President until November 22, when the election of new national officers takes place at the 98th PGA Annual Meeting. PGA Secretary Paul Levy will assume the dual responsibilities of Vice President and Secretary until the election.
“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.”
Tell Us What You Think!
You must be logged in to post a comment.