Defending Dottie

This story is a couple of days old, but I wanted to look at it in a different way. Over at Geoff Shackelford's website, a reader submitted an off the cuff comment made by analyst Dottie Pepper during the Golf Channel's broadcast of the Solheim Cup:

The first morning match sees the Europeans get back to all square at the 18th when Sherrie Steinhauer, with the U.S. dormie, misses from inside three feet. Europe makes the putt and gets the half point. Golf Channel goes to commercial and the music rolls but the commercial doesn't kick in. And in that moment of silence Dottie screams "Choking freaking dogs!"

A number of fans responded to the entry by defending Dottie and what she had to say. After all, Pepper is a former Solheim Cup team member and one of the most fiery competitors that the LPGA Tour has ever seen. She made Morgan Pressel look like Laura Davies. Her passion for the Tour and the Solheim Cup may very well be unsurpassed by players past and present. She rooted hard for her side as a player and clearly still does as a commentator. Does that make her biased? Sure. Is that wrong in a competition like this? No.

The Golf Channel and the team of Brian Hammons and Dottie Pepper discussed the issue the following morning on air. Pepper apologized and Hammons remarked that she was reacting just like any passionate fan might. Both were right to say what they did. I was not upset at what Dottie said and it doesn't seem like a lot of other people were either. (Not many people were up that early to watch, but still.)

Now, think about if Johnny Miller had said the exactly same thing on NBC's coverage of the President's Cup in two weeks. His detractors in the golf media and among fans would be calling for his head. He likely would be suspended and his on air apology would be met with cynicism about its sincerity.

If Nick Faldo had said something similar on CBS' air, he may very well have gotten a pass because he is largely liked - and it probably would have been a rip on a fellow European player.

The message here is that the messenger has a lot to do with the interpretation. Pepper is widely respected as an insightful and honest commentator, but one that is also fair, doesn't name drop, and doesn't self-promote. Pepper has never had a Golf Channel interview years after her prime. Pepper doesn't talk with Annika Sorenstam on air using her cell phone while Annika is at home watching an event. She has all of the appreciated bluntness of Miller without all of the characteristics that cause him to draw so much critique. That's why she gets a pass here.

In my mind, it's perfectly ok to call out players on the air in an emotionally charged team event. After all, the whole point of team matches like the Solheim Cup is to give players the opportunity to play for and fans a chance to root for their respective countries/continents. So, I'm glad that no one is harping on Dottie - but would I be saying the same were this Johnny Miller? I don't know.

UPDATE: In the AP piece, US Solheim Captain Betsy King referred to the incident and called the comment hurtful. I still stand by my defense of Dottie Pepper, but it does appear to have had a negative impact on at least some of her former comrades.