HOUSTON (AP) — The Golf Writers Association of America’s board of directors
voted overwhelming Thursday not to participate as pool reporters Friday when Tiger
Woods issues his first public statement in nearly three months.
“I cannot stress how strongly our board felt that this should be open to all media
and also for the opportunity to question Woods,” said Vartan Kupelian, president of
the 950-member group. “The position, simply put, is all or none. This is a major
story of international scope. To limit the ability of journalists to attend, listen,
see and question Woods goes against the grain of everything we believe.”
The GWAA said it believes strongly that its presence, without the ability to ask
question, gives credibility to an event that isn’t worthy of it. Nineteen board
members voted for the proposal to protest by boycotting the proceedings. There were
four votes against the proposal and three abstentions.
The organization said Woods’ camp originally made available three pool reporter
positions. After extended negotiations, Woods’ advisers agreed to increase the number
of pool reporters to six, an offer that was rejected.
The Associated Press, Reuters and Bloomberg News Service have been invited to report
on the meeting at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
