Sergio Garcia Doesn’t Deserve a Pass for Racial Comments About Tiger Woods

Sergio Garcia Doesn’t Deserve a Pass for Racial Comments About Tiger Woods
Racially Charged Comments Muddy Already Murky Waters











Chris Chaney May 22, 2013 10:47 AM




COMMENTARY | The latest punch thrown in the Sergio Garcia-Tiger Woods feud was levied Tuesday night by the Spaniard at the European Tour's Players' Award dinner. And when the dust settled, it was Garcia who came out bloodied and rightful
ly so.



On stage along with his European Ryder Cup teammates, Garcia was asked by event co-host Steve Sands, tongue firmly in cheek, whether he would have Tiger Woods over during US Open week to break bread, making light of their recent public spat.

Garcia answered, "We will have him round every night. We will serve fried chicken."

The racial undertones of Garcia's comments do not need to be rehashed. The familiarity in the golfing community with the fried chicken barb goes back to the 1997 Masters when Fuzzy Zoeller made a similar comment about Woods, referencing the dinner menu the soon-to-be youngest Masters champion would serve the following year at the Champion's Dinner.

"He's doing everything it takes to win," Zoeller said when asked about Woods' play. "So, you know what you guys do when he gets in here? You pat him on the back and say congratulations, enjoy it and tell him not to serve fried chicken next year."

The comment was shocking and off-putting in 1997 and following the backlash, Zoeller wasn't heard from much again, his reputation tarnished and legacy usurped by one off-handed comment.

16 years later, Garcia's comment comes with a similar, if not more surprising, sting. More surprising in the sense that we like to think with each passing day, racism is dying. More surprising in the sense that on a public level, personal prejudices shouldn't be levied through jokes. More surprising in the sense that someone as media-aware as Garcia would make such an off-color comment.



However, what we like to think is happening and what is actually taking place in the world are far different things. Garcia's comments prove that.

What's even more troubling is that for a racially charged comment to make its way into the public sphere, the likelihood is greater that Garcia has said or thought them in his private life, thus debunking any progress that is thought to have been made.

Garcia's public relations machine jumped into high gear following the comments, releasing an apology that read, "I apologize for any offence that may have been caused by my comment on stage during The European Tour Players' Awards dinner. I answered a question that was clearly made towards me as a joke with a silly remark, but in no way was the comment meant in a racist manner."

Woods, who is no stranger to racial injustice, responded with a string of tweets, not quite exonerating Garcia, but making his feelings known with an eye towards moving on.

Said Woods, "The comment that was made wasn't silly. It was wrong, hurtful and clearly inappropriate. I'm confident that there is real regret that the remark was made. The Players (Championship) ended nearly two weeks ago and it's long past time to move on and talk about golf."

Garcia met with the media Wednesday morning, sheepishly taking the stand looking like a dog that had just soiled the carpet, apologizing profusely. He said he had talked with the commissioners of both the PGA and European Tours and felt as if they had accepted his apology.

He also said he plans to talk to Tiger directly to apologize for his comments, but calls to Woods' agent had not yet been returned.

The problem is that our culture is too quick to move on from the real problems that present themselves, especially taboo topics such as racism. The predominant thought is that racism has no place anywhere and from a PR standpoint, golf is the last business that wants to furl itself into a racial dispute given the game's poor track record in that arena.

More than likely, Woods will let the comments wash off his back; he has bigger fish to fry. If he were going to be impacted negatively by any ignoramus with a derogatory comment to make, he wouldn't be in search of his 15th major championship and on track to become the greatest player of all time. Likelier still, Woods will use Garcia's words as some kind of motivation, pushing him to even higher heights.

For those reason and many more, Garcia does not deserve a pass on this. He needs to be held accountable for his actions and words. What that entails is up to those in charge of the game, but to accept an apology and sweep the comments under the rug is to do a disservice to all those offended by the comments.

Chris Chaney is a Cincinnati, Ohio-based sportswriter. He has written for multiple outlets including WrongFairway.com, Hoopville.com, The Cincinnati (OH) Enquirer and The Clermont (OH) Sun.

Follow him on Twitter @Wrong_Fairway.

Sergio's Racial Comments Prove We Have a Long Way to Go

Sergio's Racial Comments Prove We Have a Long Way to Go











Adam Fonseca May 22, 2013 11:12 AM


COMMENTARY | The recent feud between Sergio Garciaand Tiger Woods has turned ugly. While Garcia's recent comments at a press conference prior to the 2013 BMA PGA Championship were a mere two sentences, his words speak volumes on how far we have come as a society in terms of eradicating racism in our culture.





Unfortunately, for Garci
a, professional sports provide the grandest of stages and the brightest spotlight when mistakes are made and poor judgment is displayed.



Golf hasn't exactly been the poster child for equality and fairness over its history. It is a creature that, at one time, thrived on its own organic exclusivity. Golf was originally meant to be enjoyed by society's elite, which at one time was defined by the number of sheep you owned. It was a pastime meant to be enjoyed by few yet heralded by many. It was all very disgusting, to be honest.

As a result, the idea of an African-American golfer playing in what was once considered to be a "white man's sport" was downright unspeakable. This mentality continued well past the Civil Rights movement in America, albeit in less pronounced ways. Make no mistake: Even if people weren't talking about it, racism in golf remained alive and breathing.

In 1990, the New York Times ran a story about Shoal Creek Country Club -- an all-white private country club -- that was the site of that year's PGA Championship. Club founder Hall W. Thompson issued a statement that "we don't discriminate in every other area except the blacks." Thompson's statement sparked one of the more inflammatory and socially polarizing events that professional golf had ever seen. The PGA of America quickly became the subject of scorn and protest, most notably from Rev. Joseph Lowery, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

''To cooperate with evil is to affirm it,'' Lowery said at the time. "'Golf is deceptive, because it seems like only plush clubhouses and green fairways. It looks very decent. But this blatant admission that we don't want black folks uncovered a hidden agenda that really isn't hidden anymore.''

Less than a decade later, Tiger Woods happened. Barriers were broken down and professional golf received a much-needed wake-up call. Thankfully, golf has never been the same since.

At least, that is until Garcia's comments earlier this week.

What is most disappointing about Garcia's poor taste in humor -- other than his carefully contrived "I didn't mean it to come out that way" apology -- is that fact that he should know better when speaking publicly. Garcia's suggestion that he was "caught off guard" by the question is laughable. This is a man who has been a professional athlete in the public eye for 14 years. I'm going to guess he has been asked odd questions in the past. Call it a hunch.

It is clear that Garcia attempted to answer a playful question in a way to insult Woods, regardless of what he said after the fact. All Garcia did in the process was prove that he was more interested in throwing fuel on the bonfire separating him and Woods than taking the high road and moving on.

Who would have thought the road Garcia preferred to take would be so low?



Adam Fonseca has been writing and blogging about golf since 2005. His work has appeared on numerous digital outlets including the Back9Network and SB Nation. He currently lives in Chicago with his wife. Follow Adam on Twitter @chicagoduffer.com.

Flooding reduces LPGA event to 54 holes

Flooding reduces LPGA event to 54 holes










The Sports Xchange May 22, 2013 4:10 PMThe SportsXchange



Torrential rains forced the LPGA to reduce this week's inaugural Pure Silk Bahamas Classic to 54 holes beginning Friday.

Even that schedule sounds tenuous based on the excess rainfall in the forecast and dreary course conditions with measurable standing water on nearly half of the fairways on the Atlantis, Paradise Island, course.

Nearly a foot of rain fell on the Ocean Club Golf Course in an eight-hour period on Tuesday.

In the wake of violent storms, significant amounts of standing water remain on at least seven holes with the ninth and 18th fairways completely flooded. Crews are working around the clock to abate water with additional efforts to clear debris and make the golf course playable ongoing.

First and second-round pairings will remain the same with a 36-hole cut made on Saturday night.

"Mentally, you're still in it although physically you can't do anything today at the course," said Suzann Pettersen. "I'm happy I got 18 holes of practice in yesterday. We will play whenever we can."

Locals are calling the worst storm in the last 20 years and Nassau has significant flooding and home damage. But a 60 percent chance for more rain Wednesday into Thursday could cause further havoc.

"You can't feel guilty about not practicing or playing today because no one is allowed out there," said Stacy Lewis. "I certainly wish for the tournament's sake that we could have played the pro-am. First-year events have some bumps and we always get through them. This is no different."