No hard feelings, right?
US Solheim Cup captain Meg Mallon availed of her press conference at the US Women’s Open this afternoon to make the first controversial appointment of her tenure:
Golf Channel analyst and commentator Dottie Pepper will serve as one of two US vice-captains during the 2013 event, scheduled to take place at Colorado Golf Club (in, ehm, Colorado?) next year.
Pepper, a two-time winner of the Kraft Nabisco Championship, was a talismanic presence on US Solheim Cup teams throughout the 1990s, as adept at offending European sensibilities as accumulating points.
In the three Solheim Cups spanning the years 1994 and 1998, the New York native became embroiled in several fiery on-course confrontations, yet conspired (often literally) to return 10 points from a possible 11.
Somewhat ironically, given Pepper’s combative reputation, today’s appointment has been viewed largely through the lens of what surely ranks among her tamest Solheim Cup outbursts.
In covering the 2007 exhibition for the Golf Channel, Pepper referred to the US team as “choking freaking dogs”. The remark, intended as a private aside, was broadcast on live television and succeeded in drawing the ire of players and officials alike, several of whom she’s likely to encounter at Colorado Golf Club.
With lingering resentment over the incident in danger of negatively impacting team morale, the 46-year-old spent a portion of today’s press conference in tearful apology.
“I don’t know if there’s a broadcaster in sports that hasn’t said something that they don’t regret saying, whether or not it was intended for air. I reached out to the LPGA immediately to get a message that they could put my head on a plate if they so cared to…
“There was definitely a lot of hurt in both directions. I have had a number of players reach out to me. Some very upset, some not. But there’s not a day really that goes by that I don’t regret that it happened.”
[I demand further atonement! More tears!]
Mallon was similarly anxious to account for The Gaffe, casting it in light of her assistant’s notorious ruthlessness and prediliction for patriotic hysteria (well, she used euphemisms).
“When I got home and I listened to the telecast, knowing Dottie as long as I’ve known her, it just was Dottie in her passion and her passion for the game and her passion for the Solheim Cup. I know it wasn’t out of ill will by any par…
“That’s where I feel like Dottie needed to stop carrying this burden around. And that she needs to be a part of this event, and these players need to get to know the Dottie that I know.”
Watch. This. Space.
Conor Nagle
Forgiveness has long been an American character trait. Dottie said what she said, took responsibility, has apologized and expressed profound and sincere regret. Time to move on.
Notice that no one accuses Dottie of being wrong- only impolite.
Sometimes honesty is not comfortable but it’s still better than the old “it hit a spike mark” or “she was between clubs” excuses.
The modern era has given us the cell phone camera excuse, but it’s only a rehash of the old camera click excuse. Soon it will be Twitter made me miss that putt.
I find it refreshing to listen to an honest commentator. I hope Dottie never changes – she’s one of the best.
Some may forgive, many will not. The “choking freaking dogs” comment will forever be linked with Pepper.
EVERYONE chokes, ask any golfer about their worst “choking” experience. The difference is most can control themselves and not get caught up in the moment and choke less than others.
I am not a big fan of Pepper, especially after she made a snarky comment on Wie’s performance in a Hawaii tournament. Many perceived that as jealousy of Wie’s muliti-million dollar endorsements and her huge popularity. And Wie continues to reap millions in endorsements even without doing much this year.
Michelle Wie will be remembered as one of biggest $$ earners in LPGA history and still commands a large following at tournaments.
Dottie Pepper will ALWAYS be remembered by some as the Solheim captain who “through her players under the bus” with her hurtful comment, “…choking freaking dogs!”
How long does Dottie have to be punished for this one sin. She made a comment in the broadcasting truck, when the mics were mistakenly still on. It was no big deal and the women on the LPGA should just move on.
Dottie has been a huge part of golf and especially the LPGA. She does an outstanding job with her on course reporting and was always a gritty competitor. She deserves this role as Asst Captain and will one day be Captain. The LPGA should stop being so petty and welcome Dottie.
[...] that right shoulder does <b>…</b>Weekend Golfers Present 'play Golf: Between The Ears'Stretch out the Wrist, the Forearm and even into the Shoulder for a HIP practice that is good for go… physician or health care provider if you are already suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome. If this [...]
She spoke the truth and the poor, professional golfers couldn’t deal with it, so they went to the apologizers in chief at the LPGA to make Pepper atone for her so-called sin.
Highlights the diff between male and female pro athletes. If a commentator called Jimmy Connors for example, a choking dog, he would have gone out the next tourny, played his heart out, won and then went over and told the commentator f-you. Female athlete complains to the LPGA.
No knock on women’s golf, because I enjoy it, but really, you get called out for lousy play and go complain about it? Don’t like it? Next time play better.
OHHH this is why she seems so cautious when she’s doing the walk-and-talk on NBC now! I had no idea about “the gaffe” and now that I do, I don’t give a rat’s ass. Ever play with a competitive woman golfer? Many are ruthless, smack-talking athletes just like the guys who try to kick my ass every weekend. That, my friends, is part of golf, and as a viewer I don’t mind hearing some truthful smack on a broadcast, if it’s coming from someone who has walked the talk.
Ya want sanitized promotional pablum then hire only professional commentators and we can all listen to Chris Schenkle and Jim Nantz clones. That’ll be nice. Nice and shitty.