SANDY, Utah (KUTV) — Sandy City pulled $20,000 worth of Callaway merchandise from the pro shop at River Oaks Golf Course following a controversial Good Good Golf video produced in partnership with the brand.
The video shows Alexis Miestowski, a former Division I golfer, reaching for a driver before Good Good co-founder Garrett Clark shoves her to the ground. The video has since been removed.
Callaway ended its relationship with Good Good and announced a $1 million commitment to “support organizations working to prevent violence against women, provide resources to survivors, and advance education and awareness efforts.”
The city-owned course said it would replace Callaway products with women-owned brands and companies that demonstrate “social responsibility.”
“Violence against women is not acceptable, and using harm to women as a punchline is not consistent with the environment we want to create at our public recreation facilities,” Sandy Mayor Monica Zoltanski said. “…We can make sure our public recreation spaces send a simple message: you belong here, you’re safe here.”
Parks and Recreation Director Ben Hill said the staff at River Oaks “fully support” the mayor’s decision.
“We want people to walk into River Oaks and know this is their golf course, too,” Hill said. “Whether someone has played for decades or is trying golf for the first time, our goal is to provide a great experience and make them feel welcome. Expanding the brands we offer gives our customers more choices while reinforcing that commitment.”
Several cities with municipal golf courses were contacted about whether they planned to follow Sandy’s lead. Some did not respond, while others said they did not have enough information to comment.
Women in golf criticize video
The controversy has also drawn criticism from women involved in the sport.
Lindsey Orth, a professional golfer and current Utah Tech women’s golf coach, said she was shocked when she saw the video.
“My first thought was, ‘Wow, are we still doing this?’” Orth said.
Orth said people in golf have worked hard to make the sport more inclusive, and she believes the video undermines those efforts.
“There’s room for humor in golf, but when it puts down women, I have no time for that,” Orth said.
She said that even as a professional golfer, being in an environment where men are often the majority can still feel intimidating. With more women taking up golf, she said the industry should be careful not to send messages that could make women feel unwelcome.
“Don’t give them another reason to feel like they don’t belong,” Orth said.
For now, Callaway products remain off the shelves at River Oaks Golf Course. Zoltanski said the city will consider bringing the merchandise back if Callaway takes further action in response to the controversy.
David Ochoa contributed to this report.
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