Els calls Feherty a "shock jock" for putting comments

[TN94z]

We all know how outspoken David Feherty can be but, I have to say, I like his commentary.  With that being said, I can remember at times thinking, "man, that was a bit over board."   I usually chalked it up to Feherty being friends with the guy and it being all in fun.  But when Feherty made some comments about Els' putting, it didn't seem to go over well with Ernie.  In an article on Golf.com , Els' talks about his dislike for the comments made:

Quote:

Feherty made the comments about Els at the Tavistock Cup, a hit-and-giggle exhibition in Orlando in March featuring several top pros, including Tiger Woods. Els had missed a couple of short putts in the final holes of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, which prevented him from qualifying for this year's Masters. The next day at the Tavistock Cup, Feherty introduced Els to the gallery on the first tee by saying that Els would be “putting with a live rattlesnake.”

"I've known David for a long time, but for him to have said that was totally shocking and -- well, not out of character, because he tried to shock the world all the time, but it was a low blow," Els told Golf Magazine . "It wasn't a gentlemanly think to do. I wouldn't have done that.

"It made the whole group very uncomfortable for the first few holes -- it was a very s-----y feeling," Els continued. “It wasn't a very classy move, but then again it's how he makes his living these days. He's kind of a shock jock.”

It seems the comments touched a nerve and Els didn't like them.  In Feherty's defense, he did respond and apologize for the comments.

Quote:

"I gave everybody a hard time at the Tavistock Cup and I did it in proportion to how much affection I have for the person,” Feherty said. “If that backfired with Ernie, I unreservedly apologize, because I love the guy."

I personally think the media has gotten out of control in most aspects of society.  I can't believe some of the things that come out of reporters' mouths, or the stories that are making the top news, and even the commentary during sporting events.  The media can really make or break an athlete, or any person in general, in today's times. Are these guys starting to take it too far?  Were Feherty's comments a "low blow?"

[Zeph]

Hah. Feherty is the Alice Cooper of golf. I know it is a big deal to get into Augusta, but Ernie has gotten a bit grumpy on his old days. The problem with jokes like these is that you never know how the one being joked about reacts. To quote a Norwegian comedian whom got some reactions after a TV-show: "I'm not pro mocking jews in particular, but generally mocking" (probably not translated properly).

[Stretch]

Find this really hard to believe. Ernie's a big boy, and if he wasn't aware that he's been putting like absolute crap for quite a while then he's obviously been drinking even more than usual. Oops, now I've possibly gone and hurt his feelings all over again. My bad.

[Mr3Wiggle]

I didn't think big Ern took himself that seriously.

[zeg]

Hahahahahahahahahaha... golf shock jock... hahahahahahaaaaa

No, it's not gentlemanly to poke fun at someone in public. It doesn't mean it's wrong to do it, depending on the context.

Announcing someone on the first tee would, imo, generally be the wrong place to do it. I don't know how seriously the Tavistock is taken. If all the golfers are being roasted as they're announced, it's fine. If it's generally done like at other tournaments, though, I'd agree with Els that it's out of place. These guys are playing for a living, after all, so singling someone out and commenting on their play in a way that could be distracting seems inappropriate during the event.

[TN94z]

I think it was more being called out on the tee like that in front of the gallery.  It's one thing to joke about that stuff to the guy or even on his show, but announcing him to the gallery in that fashion may have crossed Ernie's line.

[Motley01]

I've always liked Feherty. But lately he's kinda going over the top. This past week, I couldn't make out what the heck he was saying. It was like it was entirely jokes. Usually he's serious, and then throws the occasional joke in there.

...too many jokes, and not enough serious commentator talk, gets annoying at times.

I also like McCord. But he can be too much at times also.

[Stretch]

Here's the actual footage. Ernie doesn't look bothered in the slightest. He gave everyone a hard time.

[topspin4hand]

Honestly, I think Ernie being a big baby here. I looked at the video as well. Feherty said of Tiger, "Many of us arrived here in a helicopter. He came in an ambulance." Tiger - not the loosest guy of late - laughed in good humor.  When Feherty makes his 1st comment (not about putting with the snake) about Ernie, Ernie laughs, so Feherty went on as it obviously looked like Ernie was being a good sport like all the others. Like everyone else, Feherty was there to support a charitable cause and he was not making a living that day. SMH.

[Motley01]

That was funny as hell. He was totally ripping on everybody.

I didn't know Bo Van Pelt's wife was filthy rich. He picked a good one.

[Stretch]

Immelman got the best comeback in.

Feherty: "He's a good-looking man! I look at him and think I might be gay. He's very slow though."

Trevor: "I thought you said you liked that earlier."

Again, it's really weird for Ernie to whine about this. I've followed him for a long time and it's completely out of character.

[MEfree]

Originally Posted by TN94z

We all know how outspoken David Feherty can be but, I have to say, I like his commentary.  With that being said, I can remember at times thinking, "man, that was a bit over board."   I usually chalked it up to Feherty being friends with the guy and it being all in fun.  But when Feherty made some comments about Els' putting, it didn't seem to go over well with Ernie.  In an article on Golf.com, Els' talks about his dislike for the comments made:

It seems the comments touched a nerve and Els didn't like them.  In Feherty's defense, he did respond and apologize for the comments.

I personally think the media has gotten out of control in most aspects of society.  I can't believe some of the things that come out of reporters' mouths, or the stories that are making the top news, and even the commentary during sporting events.  The media can really make or break an athlete, or any person in general, in today's times. Are these guys starting to take it too far?  Were Feherty's comments a "low blow?"

I thought most of the comments were pretty funny- a few may have crossed some peoples line but I didn`t think the ones about Els even came that close.  Not sure if Els brought it up in the interview, but I am surprised he would respond like he did.

Feherty was there to entertain, which he did.  Had he come in with plain vanilla stuff, nobody would laughed and you wouldn`t have made this post.  The media people with the best ratings and biggest pay checks tend to be the most controversial- they want to stir things up and have people talking about them on the internet.  Controversy tends to be interesting while political correctness tends to be boring.  If you think they should tone it back, it is probably better to not watch their programs and not start threads about them on the internet.

[zipazoid]

First off, it's the Tavist-Freekin-Stock Cup. An exhibition. Ernie needs to seriously lighten up.

Secondly, it was funny to everyone but Ernie. That should tell you where the problem lies. It ain't with Feherty.

[TN94z]

Originally Posted by MEfree

I thought most of the comments were pretty funny- a few may have crossed some peoples line but I didn`t think the ones about Els even came that close.  Not sure if Els brought it up in the interview, but I am surprised he would respond like he did.

Feherty was there to entertain, which he did.  Had he come in with plain vanilla stuff, nobody would laughed and you wouldn`t have made this post.  The media people with the best ratings and biggest pay checks tend to be the most controversial- they want to stir things up and have people talking about them on the internet.  Controversy tends to be interesting while political correctness tends to be boring.  If you think they should tone it back, it is probably better to not watch their programs and not start threads about them on the internet.

No arguments here.  As I stated previously. I like Feherty.  I also agree that these guys have to do something to stand apart and get noticed.  But without threads about them on the internet, their outspoken controversial ways go unnoticed. It's news my man....and news gets talked about.  Whether it is someone with hurt feelings from being the butt end of a joke, or private issues such as that of Tiger's...it gets talked about.

The media consists of much more than a talk show host or commentator as well.  When I say the media getting outta control, I am referring to the media that are biased with stories reported on and completely ignorant to facts and knowledge of topics they talk about....but that is a story outside the realm of the golf world.

[newtogolf]

No one likes to be kicked when they are down.  Els took it personal because he considered Feherty a friend and didn't think he'd go there with Els.  I agree with others that Ernie needs to get a sense of humor.  It's not like David threw out some mother or wife jokes, like a real "shock jock" would.  Making fun of someones putting, especially when it's as bad as Els has been isn't really shocking.

[Motley01]

Did you guys notice in that video. How the spectators were all around and in the fairways, near the landing spots. Just out there loligaging, not even worried about being hit by a tee shot?

And they actually jumped out of the way on Ernie's shot.

Kinda weird...

[plum]

im not even sure what putting with a rattlesnake means ? hard for me to be insulted if i was ernie....

[zipazoid]

Originally Posted by plum

im not even sure what putting with a rattlesnake means ? hard for me to be insulted if i was ernie....

I think he was referencing how bad Els putting was, that he's going to try a live rattlesnake...or that his stroke was so yip-y that it looked like he was putting with one.

Either way, typical Feherty. Els needs to lighten up.