PGA opposes N.C. ‘bathroom bill,’ supports venue
CEO: 2017 tourney in Charlotte will use ‘inclusive’ policy
SPRINGFIELD, N.J. — The PGA of America says it strongly opposes North Carolina’s controversial “bathroom bill,” but it remains steadfast in its plan to hold next year’s PGA Championship at Quail Hollow in Charlotte.
Echoing a written statement made after the NBA decided to pull its 2017 All-Star Game from Charlotte, PGA of America CEO Pete Bevacqua said Wednesday at Baltusrol Golf Club: “We have been very vocal in our opposition to [ House Bill 2] on several occasions. We’re trying to do everything we can, as part of our strategic plan for our organization in golf, to make the game as inclusive as possible.
“We’re not perfect. We’re trying. We’re trying to do the things to make the game more inclusive, and we thought it was important that we voiced our opposition.”
North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory in March signed House Bill 2, which requires transgender individuals to use the bathroom of their birth sex, rather than the gender with which they identify. The act also prohibits municipalities in the state from enacting anti-workplace discrimination policies.
The PGA chose Quail Hollow as the 2017 PGA venue in 2010. It will be the first major at the course, which has hosted a yearly PGA Tour event since 2003. The tour has also scheduled the 2021 Presidents Cup there.
“It’s a private facility,” Bevacqua said. “So we intend to do everything we can within our power to make it a welcoming environment and an inclusive environment. We have every intention of having our restroom policy be like it is every year, where you can use the restroom you identify with. That’s our stance.” Health scare for Day’s wife: Jason Day’s wife, Ellie, had a health scare Tuesday night when she had an allergic reaction to food she ate. World No. 1 Jason Day said in his news conference Wednesday that he called 911 and paramedics came to the family’s tour bus. Ellie was treated and taken to the hospital, where they stayed until about 2 a.m., when she was released.
“She’s fine,” Day said. “Everything was great. I had to call the paramedics over. She was kind of freaking out in the back of the bus, which is understandable, because she got all red. I’ve been in that situation before when I first ate seafood. That’s why I don’t eat seafood anymore.”
Day also has been feeling ill, saying he got a bug from his children, Dash and Lucy. As the reigning PGA champion, he attended a dinner in his honor Tuesday night, but got his first look at the Baltusrol course in a Wednesday practice round. He’s had very little preparation and very little sleep.
“I’m kind of running on right now,” Day said. ‘E’ Moving the PGA? Bevacqua said that moving the PGA Championship to another time of year remains a consideration.
The PGA was the only major forced to alter its dates this year because of the Olympics, and it will face that problem every four years. The situation is further complicated by the biennial Ryder Cup, also staged by the PGA.
“We’re going to have to jostle the schedule a little bit,” Bevacqua said. “I think everybody is aware of that. We have no conclusions. We have made no decisions. But, yes, it’s absolutely on our radar screen.” Cheers for ‘Beef’: Bearded Englishman Andrew “Beef” Johnston’s group moved at a laborious pace through a practice round Tuesday because the new star after the British Open stopped to sign so many autographs between holes. Fans clamored to get pictures with him and chants of “Beeeef!” could regularly be heard. Johnston said he signed for another hour after the round.
“It’s just a thing of trying to get the right timing to spend with all of the fans, because I love it. I Kristoffer Broberg of Sweden hits an approach shot on the 18th hole during a practice round Wednesday before the PGA Championship. The PGA of America is standing by Charlotte, N.C., as the 2017 venue. absolutely love it,” Johnston said. “And it means so much for me. But at the same time, you’ve got to get your practice in as well.”
The highlight — or maybe lowlight — was the group of guys who followed Johnston in fake beards and posed for a photo with him. The only hitch: The beards were red. Johnson’s beard is brown.
“They turned up in ginger beards!” Johnston said. “I said to one of them, ‘Who got these beards?’ And they pointed at one guy. And I was like, ‘I hope he’s buying all the drinks for you lot, because he’s had a shocker there.’ ”
Johnston won the Spanish Open on the European Tour this year and finished eighth in the British Open. This is his first PGA.
“It’s good to see stories like that,” Day said, “and I’m hoping he keeps up the good play up, because I think we need more personalities in this game.” Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland chips to the 16th green during a practice round for the PGA Championship, which begins today.