PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp stated that a recently removed video advertisement for a golf driver was concerning and did not align with the organization's values. The ad, created by the YouTube group Good Good in partnership with Callaway Golf, depicted a member of the group pushing another after she reached for a club.
Rolapp made these remarks on Tuesday, marking his first public comments on the incident since the video was released and subsequently taken down.
The controversy began when the video circulated on social media, drawing significant criticism. In the clip, Garrett Clark pushes Alexis Miestowski after she attempts to touch the new driver, with Clark standing over her and telling her not to touch it.
Following the backlash, Good Good removed the content and issued an apology, stating the actions depicted were not aligned with their brand values and mission to make golf more inclusive. Callaway also issued a statement expressing disappointment in the content and appreciation for Good Good's response.
On Tuesday, further statements were released by the leadership of both companies. Matt Kendrick, CEO of Good Good, acknowledged that the group made a mistake, explaining the ad was intended as a parody of a scene from the movie "Obsession." He noted that the execution missed the mark and that the company is changing its creative review process.
Chip Brewer, CEO of Callaway, wrote that while the company approved the video, that approval should never have happened. Brewer stated that internal and external investigations are underway and that changes have been made to approval processes to prevent similar issues in the future.
