Golf Channel Anchor Kelly Tilghman Says Young Golfers Should 'Lynch Tiger Woods'

AOL Sports beta ^ | January 8, 2008 | Michael David Smith

[Zuben Elgenubi]

Golf Channel Anchor Kelly Tilghman Says Young Golfers Should 'Lynch Tiger Woods'

Posted Jan 8th 2008 2:01PM by Michael David Smith
Filed under: Golf, Breaking News

The woman you see in the photo here caddying for Arnold Palmer is Kelly Tilghman, a former college golfer at Duke who now is play-by-play announcer for The Golf Channel's PGA Tour broadcasts.

Tilghman made a shocking comment during Friday's telecast of the PGA Tour's opening event. She said -- on the air -- that today's young players should "lynch Tiger Woods in a back alley."

What was Tilghman thinking? Who knows. It's not entirely clear what point Tilghman was trying to make with what she apparently thought was a joke, but she may have been trying to say that the only chance today's young players will ever have of overtaking Woods as the No. 1 golfer in the world is to hurt him. Hilarious.

According to New York's Newsday, a spokesman for the Golf Channel said Tilghman apologized during Sunday's broadcast and has "reached out to Woods' representatives to express her regrets for the comments."

Apologizing and reaching out is better than nothing, but it's rather surprising that the apology took two days and that in the era of Don Imus, so little attention has been paid to this comment. It's hard to understand how a person who would use such a poor choice of words is in the broadcasting business.

[ladyjane]

It may be about nothing but it looks like the lady has been suspended for two weeks.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

from your post #73: "Well, I don't know who appointed you the golf god of good taste but you're getting carried away."

You cited Tiger's agent's statement as Tiger's own statement in your post #72 (intellectual dishonesty). Now you tell me the rest of your quotes are on the radio.

You state "they are not quite exact but close enough...". Again, intellectual dishonesty.

Please.

If you want to post on the golf threads, follow citation rules. I know it's tough to follow rules. You want to improve your lie and the like. Next thing you know, you'll want to take a Mulligan. Then, you are, what you stated above, a self-appointed golf god . . .

Golfers innately know a blowhard when they see or read one. God knows we've all had 18-hole nightmares.

[cleveland gop]

That is exactly right. They have known one another for 12 years(that’s before Tiger turned pro for those of you in RioLinda)and I’m pretty sure ETW could care less about this.
To even think of firing her is stupid beyond belief. But if they did, put Gary McCord next to Nick in the tower and listen to those 2 throw down
BTW, I did hear the comments on Friday nights rebroadcast, early Saturday A.M. If it was so wrong, then why was it not snipped on the re-air. Hell, they only had 6 hours!

[Zuben Elgenubi]

From The Golf Channel.

GOLF CHANNEL Suspends Anchor for Remark
By GOLF CHANNEL Newsroom - January 09, 2008

Editor's Note: The GOLF CHANNEL released the following statement on Jan. 9th:
 
The GOLF CHANNEL regrets the poorly chosen remarks made by Kelly Tilghman on a recent broadcast and, again, extends our apologies to anyone who was offended.
 
There is simply no place on our network for offensive language like this.
 
While we believe that Kelly's choice of words were inadvertent and that she did not intend them in an offensive manner, the words were hurtful and grossly inappropriate.
 
Consequently, we have decided to suspend Kelly for two weeks, effective immediately.

[Rummyfan]

Sorry to see the Golf Channel succumb to pressure like this. They snap-hooked it right into the hazard!

[benjamin032]

Tiger is no doubt a singular talent and the best of his generation.

[benjamin032]

One more reason to like the man.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

Sorry to see the Golf Channel succumb to pressure like this. They snap-hooked it right into the hazard!

Yeah, me too. I thought her remarks were insensitive and inane but not mean-spirted. I'd like to find out who is behind pushing the suspension.

I think FX and Comcast owns the golf channel.

[Clemenza]

There was a rather tragic lynching of some black circus performers in St. Paul, MN by some nice Irish Catholic boys back in 1920. A rather horrendous lynching in Omaha around that time as well. In both cases, the Mayor gave into the "will of the people."

[Zuben Elgenubi]

Sorry to see the Golf Channel succumb to pressure like this. They snap-hooked it right into the hazard!

You left handed?

[cleveland gop]

Stupid decision by TGC. My solution to this would have been for Tiger to call in during tomorrows telecast and accept her apoligy. Then he and Faldo could throw down for say 30 minutes. And that’s it.
But no, now I get to see who, Rich Lerner sit in with Nick? Please Nick, try hard to keep me awake when I’m watching.

[4woodenboats]

So they decided to lynch Kelly after all. A pitiful, kneejerk reaction....the hallmark of all lynchings.

[budwiesest]

Given Tiger's dominance in the sport, any form of 'restraint' would seem necessary for junior challengers to have a chance- which seems to be her point.

She could have said "put a cap in his ass" or "knee-cap his ass", either of which would have conveyed the same point: if Tiger is 'healthy', your chances at winning in this game suck. Hurt him and your odds increase immensly.

To 'lynch' conveys this same sentiment succinctly. That it has a racial overtone is unfortunate as many a caucasian has met his fate with a rope. (It's not a black thing, people!)

If any candidate pursued the presidency with the same dogged adherence to the constitution as Tiger does Golf, then I have only one choice. Vote for Tiger. Sadly, none of the prospects appear to have the drive to affect a 'change' in the status quo similar to the way Tiger has changed golf.

[ThreePuttinDude]

HA HA HA, good catch...LOL

[jbass83]

So lets destroy a Golf Channel Anchors career because she said something that thirty plus years ago could have actually been racially motivated. Who ever reported this story as news made this as racial as they could. They want it to be racial, they need news to sell. Maybe to top it off we should ask Ernie Els and Retief Goosen what they think, I mean they are South Africans and we all know about that countries past. Do you see how stupid that sounds. Don’t let the hype get you, worry about things that matter.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

Thank you jbass83 and welcome to FR. I see you registered just yesterday.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

Upon further review, it looks as if Al Sharpton had a hand in Kelly's suspension.

The Golf Channel, which originally said there would be no punishment, changed its position less than three hours after Sharpton's remarks with a statement issued Wednesday night

[4woodenboats]

She never should have apologized in the 1st place. It's not like she said he should be "hung".

I see ESPN "ganged" up on her in an attempt to "shoot up" her credibility.

[an amused spectator]

My guess is that she’s not bright enough to realize that “to lynch” has alternate meanings.

I'll wager she's bright enough.

I think it's a case of being able to hang with the guys. She can hand most of the guys out on a golf course their own ass. I think she's something like a 6 handicap, which means she can give me at least 3 a side and still thump me.

I went to this Michael David Smith weasel's blog post and as usual, it's a case of news manipulation - he leaves stuff out while presenting his "case" and puts the picture of her as a mere "caddy" up for the uninformed.

Plus, you ought to read the airheaded comments from the lynch mob after her job. What a crew of ignorant slobs.

Frankly, I respect a woman that can beat me and a lot of other guys at golf. It's not an easy game, and her job as a commentator flowed naturally from her ability at the game - it wasn't just a case of looks, as it it is in many other "news" operations.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

Golfweek issues apology

Jan. 18, 2007
 
ORLANDO, Fla. – Jeff Babineau has been named editor of Golfweek, replacing Dave Seanor, effective immediately.

The change has been made after Golfweek ran a cover in the January 19 issue showing a noose to illustrate a controversial comment by Golf Channel anchor Kelly Tilghman about Tiger Woods.

“We apologize for creating this graphic cover that received extreme negative reaction from consumers, subscribers and advertisers across the country,” said William P. Kupper Jr., president of Turnstile Publishing Co., the parent company of Golfweek. “We were trying to convey the controversial issue with a strong and provocative graphic image.  It is now obvious that the overall reaction to our cover deeply offended many people. For that, we are deeply apologetic.”

Golfweek devoted four pages of news and commentary on the Tilghman/Golf Channel situation. Tilghman was suspended for two weeks as a result of her comment.

Babineau, 45, has been with Golfweek for nine years, and has filled a number of roles with the magazine, including editor, deputy editor and senior writer. In his new role, he will report directly to Kupper.

“We know we have a job ahead of us to re-earn the trust and confidence of many loyal readers,” Babineau said. “Our staff is very passionate about the game. Our wish is that one regretful error does not erase more than 30 years of service we’ve dedicated to this industry.”



Posted: 1/18/2008