As a longtime reader of Golfweek I received this “sorry”email notification regarding the cover that is coing out with the “noose” image. I have followed this story over the last few weeks and with some interest. While I know the reference to lynching Tiger Woods was made, aplogies offered and accepted, the most interesting issue is how long the media will continue to run and re-run this story for the shock value that it symbolizes. I suspect Tiger would like this to all go away, regardless of his friendhsip with Kelly or not. But, the media, and maybe I am one at this point, will continue to probe and ask and question and ridicule as long as it sells magazines, newspapers and provides fodder for radio and television.

I wonder who is not going to come to the defense of the poor fired editor? What about the graphic artist? Couldn’t he/she have said “no”?

And, of course I think using the word “sorry” isn’t a very sincere way of apologizing. It’s almost as if they are saying: “We’re sorry we didn’t get away with it.” Plus “management” really doesn’t acept any responsibility for the cover going out. That is pretty sorry even if the tenor of the posting was meant to assure the readers of better systems being put in place so this type of sorry pandering doesn’t occur again.

‘We’re sorry.’

Dear Golfweek reader,

We’re sorry. We made a grievous error.

The graphic image of a noose in the Jan. 19 issue of Golfweek offended our readers, customers, advertisers and people who’d never previously heard of our magazine. For that, we sincerely apologize.

The decision to publish this cover image, which was intended to illustrate a story about the much-talked-about suspension of Golf Channel anchor Kelly Tilghman for a controversial comment said during the Mercedes-Benz Championship, caused an outcry of harsh criticism. It was a story placed on the cover after dedicating four pages of thorough, balanced reporting to the subject.

We made a big mistake. Dave Seanor, the editor who chose the cover image, was fired. (Senior management above Seanor did not view the cover before it was published.) And Golfweek’s solid reputation built on more than 30 years of being a leading publication was damaged.

No organization can experience adversity such as this and remain unchanged; so it is for Golfweek. We are examining our policies, procedures and practices to ensure sensitivity, responsibility and adherence. And we are recommitting ourselves to being golf’s news leader and to covering the many facets of a game so many of you love. We share that passion for the game and what it represents.

There are no degrees to offending people. We now begin a new mission to re-earn your trust. To restore your loyalty. To regain your confidence. And we move ahead determined that an episode like this one will not happen again. We hope that you will not dismiss three decades of diligent and dedicated work with one bad choice.

Please accept our apology.

Thank you.

William P. Kupper Jr.
President
Turnstile Publishing Co.