GWAA votes to boycott Tiger Woods "press conference"
February 19, 2010

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The organization said Woods’ camp originally made available three pool reporter positions.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.