Some LPGA Tour players are not amused by Paulina Gretzky's appearance on the May cover of Golf Digest.
The daughter of legendary NHL star Wayne Gretzky and the fiancée of PGA Tour member Dustin Johnson was chosen for her status on the "golf celebrity scene," Golf Digest Editor-in-Chief Jerry Tarde said in a story published on the magazine's website.
Golfchannel.com is reporting, however, that members of the LPGA are "frustrated" by the magazine's choice of Gretzky posing in "skimpy workout clothes" for a fitness-themed issue.
A New York Times reporter asked Stacy Lewis, the top-ranked U.S. player, what she thought of Golf Digest's use of Gretzky, golfchannel.com reported.
Lewis never has been on the magazine's cover.
"It's frustrating for female golfers," Lewis said. "It's the state of where we've always been. We don't get the respect for being the golfers we are. Obviously, Golf Digest is trying to sell magazines, but at the same time you like to see a little respect for the women's game."
According to golfchannel.com, three women, including Gretzky, have appeared on the Golf Digest cover in the last year - none have been professional golfers. The other two have been model Kate Upton, who shared the December issue cover with Arnold Palmer, and Golf Channel reporter Holli Sonders.
"That's just been the way it is for over 20, 30 years," No. 1 women's player Inbee Park said. "We are trying to get closer to the guys [in popularity], but obviously we are never going to get there. That's for sure. The LPGA is getting better and better."
Park never has been on the cover, despite winning the first three women's majors in 2013.
LPGA veteran Juli Inkster also expressed dismay, as reported by the Times.
"It's frustrating because it's Golf Digest; it's not Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue," Inkster said, adding: "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."
Tarde said on the Golf Digest website, "Sports figures, celebrities and models have appeared on Golf Digest covers since the magazine's beginning. Paulina ranks at the high end of the golf celebrity scene today, and she has a compelling story to tell. She also might get some new people interested in the game."
To which Inkster responded, "O.K., so I think next month the cover should be Paula Creamer's fiancé, who's a fighter pilot, or Brittany Lincicome's hot boyfriend, who's a long-drive hitter. Put one of them on there."
Do you think Golf Digest should put LPGA players on its covers, rather than models? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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