Golf Digest Controversial Cover Sparks Anger

Many are up in the arms about Golf Digest’s choice of model on a recent cover.  The publication chose to feature Paulina Gretzky, the daughter of NHL legend Wayne Gretzky and fiancé of PGA player Dustin Johnson.  Many are questioning why Gretzky had to grace the cover of this popular golf magazine, and the publication has managed to especially irk female professional golfers.  The LPGA has asked why an amateur golfer, who just happens to have important links in the sporting world, gets to feature on the cover.

According to Stacy Lewis, the American professional golfer on the LPGA Tour and winner of two major championships: “It’s frustrating for female golfers. It’s kind of the state of where we’ve always been. We don’t get respect for being the golfers that we are. Obviously, Golf Digest is trying to sell magazines. But at the same time you’d like to see a little respect for the women’s game.”

Also baffled by the decision was golfer, Angela Stanford who has six professional wins to her name. “The question is who are they trying to sell to?” she said to USA Today.”If the answer is men 25 years old through 45 years old, then I guess that’s what they have to do. You know the old saying, sex sells. And nobody can argue with that. It’s just the way it is. But the LPGA has some attractive women and very fit women, so why not use them? I’m just baffled by it.”

New York Times writer, Karen Crouse called the decision to feature Gretzky on the cover as “frustrating”.

“It’s not Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue,” wrote Crouse. “I think they should maybe recognize some of the great women golfers that we have. It’s like, What do you have to do to get a little respect? I’m guaranteeing you right now, it was not a woman editor who chose that cover.”

However, Golf Digest made no apologies about its choice, saying that sports celebrities and models have featured on the magazine’s cover right from the beginning.

“Paulina ranks at the high end of the golf celebrity scene today, and she has a compelling story to tell,” said editor Jerry Tarde. “She also might get some new people interested in the game.”