11/05/24
March 28, 2003
LPGA Commissioner trying to eradicate lesbian image one player at a time?: not a women's golf fan by any means, but I know the commissioner wanted to make efforts to have players look sexier and eradicate illusions of lesbian players....I guess he is doing his part
I don't get it: Paula Votaw v Sophie Gustafson (click each picture to see source document) 
posted by worldcup2002 at 09:48 AM on March 28, 2003
wc2k2, I can't read the original article as the Tenessean site is not responding, but are you saying that the Commish is having an extramarital affair with Ms. Gustafson? See what happens when a man travels too much for his job!
posted by billsaysthis at 11:03 AM on March 28, 2003
Yes, the hoo-ha is that Mr Votaw are in divorce proceedings and Mr. Votaw has been publicly dating Ms. Gustafson. And the LPGA thinks it's cool!:
VOTAW GETS SUPPORT VOTE LPGA Tour commissioner Ty Votaw last week received a unanimous vote of support from the LPGA Tour's 12-person board of directors -- which includes six active LPGA players -- in the wake of his personal life becoming conversational fodder in the professional golf-tour ranks and in the media. Votaw is seeking to end his marriage with International Speedway Corporation executive Paula Votaw and in the meantime has openly dated LPGA Tour player Sophie Gustafson, which drew conflict-of-interest criticism that led to the LPGA board's vote.
posted by worldcup2002 at 11:53 AM on March 28, 2003
I'm not exactly sure how Votaw would have a direct influence on his girlfriend's ability to win on the tour. It's not like the guy's out making rulings on the course, and if something comes up involving her, he defers to someone else. He should be fired for being tacky, though. You just don't date people you supervise, no matter what. And cheating on his wife with two kids at home? Dick. He needs to resign for that reason.
posted by wfrazerjr at 05:27 PM on March 30, 2003
hey, why is the lpga commissioner a man, anyway? what's up with that?
posted by kjh at 11:17 PM on March 30, 2003
kjh: Great question!
posted by dusted at 11:52 PM on March 30, 2003
The article only briefly mentions a "lesbian image." The main issue is whether it was wrong for a commisioner to date someone he directly supervised. As far as telling female golfers they look like lesbians, I think this is something a lot of women athletes have had to deal with. For best athletic performance, all athletes have to condition, and as a result they gain lean muscle. Some people think this looks makes women look too masculine. What are they supposed to do? They can try to look good for the TV cameras, or they can try to win. I'll take the winners. Go Annika!