LPGA Commissioner Calls Good Good Ad Fallout ‘Brutal’

LPGA Commissioner Craig Kessler called the Good Good Golf–Callaway driver advertisement “brutal” and “heartbreaking,” saying its depiction of a woman being shoved drew justified criticism and showed how much work remains to address violence against women. Good Good said the ad was intended as a parody of the horror film “Obsession,” but the backlash led Callaway to end its partnership and pledge $1 million to organizations working to prevent violence against women; Good Good also lost retail placements, withdrew from a PGA Tour event sponsorship, and saw its Golf Channel series canceled. Kessler, whose LPGA had no partnership with Good Good, said people should be able to acknowledge serious mistakes, seek forgiveness and learn from them without excusing the harm. He compared the debate to his own apology after canceling the final round of the LPGA’s season-opening tournament because of freezing weather, saying he regretted overruling colleagues who had advised against the decision.