Tom Watson turns down PGA Hall of Fame off over Bishop

[Scotsclaff]

Hall of fame doesn't mean much. Watson has already made his mark in the golfing world,he doesn't need the hall of fame to be remembered.

[boogielicious]

I voted don't care.

[14ledo81]

Don't care vote for me as well.

[Dave2512]

Easy to turn down something that doesn't mean much. Don't care.

[JazzFatCat]

I didn't care to begin with and now that I've learned that there are 2 golf HOFs I really don't care.

[dbuck]

I voted agree, only because it is Watson's decision to make, and if he wants to use that opportunity to make a point, it is his prerogative.

As to the Bishop incident, I don't think what he said was "inappropriate". I have daughters, and when I act childish, they have told me I was acting like a little girl as has my wife. It is an old saying. I am way over my neck in disgust with political correctness; I am not opposed to good manners, however.  I don't dislike Poulter, but he was acting like a little girl, and continued to do so after Bishop called him out. I don't think Bishop was intending to be mean-spirited, I think he was trying to be comical in calling Poulter out for his criticism of Faldo. Poulter should have a tougher skin as someone said. I don't think Bishop owed Poulter or anyone else an apology. If I was in Bishop's shoes and wanted to keep my job, I would have probably apologized also, but it is sad that it is the state of pc. If Bishop was not the correct leader for the PGA, they should have found a legitimate way to get rid of him. Or just waited as he was retiring anyway.

Little girls and little boys are wonderful, adorable human beings. When they approach and enter puberty, girls are mostly hyper-dramatic and hyper-emotional, boys are stinky, mischevious, sometimes over-confindent and sometimes under-confident(a new word). I have first-hand knowledge of this having raised both. It is marvelous, natural, a fact of life and a part of growing up. Once you grow up and have the rights and privileges of an adult, you shouldn't be surprised if someone calls you a little girl when you act like one.

Sorry for the diatribe, but my pc nerve was thumped.

[colin007]

Watson is in the World Golf HoF, this is a knock-off. Bishop is a tool, Poults is a tool so net wash on that issue. Watson stood up which is commendable.

You forgot to put that Watson is a tool also.

[Gunther]

You forgot to put that Watson is a tool also.

Ha, yeah, guess I've heard the stories but ever since I've known of him, he's been a pretty good guy. Saw him at the Byron Nelson in the mid-90s and he couldn't have been nicer to the fans and his playing partners. He had problems with booze in his youth which led to other issues, adultery I've heard, but that was many years ago. Seems to me he's a pretty decent guy these days (although not much of a Ryder Cup captain). ;-)

[RGoosen]

I agree with @dbuck . I don't have any first hand knowledge as far as Watson not being a nice person. One guy I met playing said he volunteered at a Champions Tour event and Watson was about the only golfer than blew him off. I take these stories with a grain of salt. Celebrities that get hounded all the time can't be sociable all the time to strangers. If you hear a negative story in the paper you should also take it with a grain of salt. The media will take one line out of context and try to destroy that persons image. I don't trust the media with stories that are meant to paint celebrities/golfers in a bad light. Example: At Chambers Bay a reporter asked Stenson about a tough the course was to walk. He made a joke about "there will be lots of sore glutes this week." The reporter wrote some negative story about Stenson taking a jab at Tiger in the headline. Tiger and Stenson are friends. They play practice rounds together and when they are paired together in a tournament they talk constantly. Stenson was joking and Tiger probably laughed. Anyway the media probably helped blow up the couple of comments b/w Poulter and Bishop. I'm sure the reporters are all high fiving each other or drinking a beer over throwing fuel to the fire.

[Dave2512]

Ha, yeah, guess I've heard the stories but ever since I've known of him, he's been a pretty good guy. Saw him at the Byron Nelson in the mid-90s and he couldn't have been nicer to the fans and his playing partners. He had problems with booze in his youth which led to other issues, adultery I've heard, but that was many years ago. Seems to me he's a pretty decent guy these days (although not much of a Ryder Cup captain).

Things I've heard from his own mouth about his troubles are what I don't like. He has claimed to beat his addiction on will power alone, the smug look he had on his face during an interview I saw was unbecoming because it's well known he is an AA guy. It seemed disingenuous because AA is about working the program. The question wasn't even about him but his relationship with Feherty. His I am Tom Watson super-guy that gets it done on willpower comments were tacky.

[skydog]

I didn't even know there was a PGA HOF...

I was never a Bishop fan but hate our joke of a PC society so I guess I respect Tom for defending his friend (and staying out of a lame HOF).

[colin007]

Things I've heard from his own mouth about his troubles are what I don't like. He has claimed to beat his addiction on will power alone, the smug look he had on his face during an interview I saw was unbecoming because it's well known he is an AA guy. It seemed disingenuous because AA is about working the program. The question wasn't even about him but his relationship with Feherty. His I am Tom Watson super-guy that gets it done on willpower comments were tacky.

The Feherety interview was gross. What a smug S.O.B. That was NOT the time or place to do that, cameras rolling and all.

[Broke100Once]

Not to rehash the entire incident but I think the PGA wanted Bishop out and used this indiscretion with Poulter to their advantage.  Poulter played Bishop perfectly which gave the PGA the justification they needed to remove him from his position.

Bingo.  Bishop was on the way out, it was just a matter of time.  The Poulter incident was a conveniently-timed last straw.

[vangator]

I agreed.  I'm for anybody that stands up against any PC crap.

[elsandito]

Watson's refusal is meaningless. The association that supported his means of earning a handsome living, deserved greater consideration than to decide the issue over one or two incidents. The PGA will simply wait until Watson is no longer with us to put him in their HOF so as to avoid further awkwardness.