Golf is known as a "gentlemen's game", and has since it's very beginnings. Part of that is based on the fact that the game was run and dominated by older, white, straight men from affluent backgrounds. That perception is starting to change as the game becomes more diversified, but that diversity isn't taking place in as rapid of a fashion as all other major sports. It stands to reason that many within the game are not nearly as adapt to the environment of the world.
Ted Bishop's rant wasn't made by a sexist - it was made by a person who doesn't realize what sexist comments are. This does not excuse Bishop's comments, but rather it shows that the game of golf do not have enough women in the higher up of the governing bodies to inform people that referring to a professional golfer as a female in a derogatory way is a horrible thing for someone trying to grow the game of golf to do. Similarly, I do not know Patrick Reed personally, but I do not think referring to himself as a homosexual in a derogatory way in a time of anger does not make him a homophobe, even if it was a homophobic thing to say.
What has been proven over these incidents, however, is that those who enjoy golf are becoming more diverse, and no longer tolerate the types of things that would have flied ten years ago. The outrage is actually good for the sport, because it makes people within golf learn from these mistakes, and it lets them know that they are not immune to the way the world is changing. PGA golfers already had to watch what they say on a golf course as hundreds of microphones and thousands of camera are within feet of wherever you are standing, and the PGA Tour would fine golfers for using profanity on the course (though, that never stopped Tiger Woods).
As far as what Reed's punishment should be, he should and will definitely be fined for his behavior. He may be suspended, though at this point in the PGA season, what are you really suspending him from? You're going to force him to miss the tournaments in Hawaii in January? That would hurt those tournaments more than it would hurt Reed, honestly. While I hate the kind of slurs that Reed used, I really hope this isn't something that follows him throughout his career. He said something dumb when he was angry. He shouldn't have said it. He'll be punished for it. Let us be honest, though - is Reed really the only person who has used this kind of speech on the golf course? Or is he just the first to get caught? Unless I know for sure that Reed is a homophobic person, I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.
What I do not like is the fact that the PGA Tour is going to punish Reed and not tell anyone what the punishment is, because the PGA Tour is incredibly secretive about their punishments for some unknown reason. The only way to get rid of this issue is to be in front of it. The PGA of America quickly canned Ted Bishop following his comments. The fact Reed will have some kind of punishment and it will never be made known means that this thing will hover around the Tour for weeks.
“The
PGA Tour Conduct Unbecoming regulations prohibit the use of obscene
language on the golf course. The PGA Tour will deal with this matter
internally in accordance with its regulations.” - See more at:
http://www.weiunderpar.com/post/patrick-reed-berates-himself-using-gay-slur-at-hsbc-champions#sthash.xyMHxkSx.dpuf
“The
PGA Tour Conduct Unbecoming regulations prohibit the use of obscene
language on the golf course. The PGA Tour will deal with this matter
internally in accordance with its regulations.” - See more at:
http://www.weiunderpar.com/post/patrick-reed-berates-himself-using-gay-slur-at-hsbc-champions#sthash.xyMHxkSx.dpuf
“The
PGA Tour Conduct Unbecoming regulations prohibit the use of obscene
language on the golf course. The PGA Tour will deal with this matter
internally in accordance with its regulations.” - See more at:
http://www.weiunderpar.com/post/patrick-reed-berates-himself-using-gay-slur-at-hsbc-champions#sthash.xyMHxkSx.dpuf
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