The PGA Tour reported no positive tests this week at the Safeway. That wonderful news tempered a bit by Mark Calcavecchia revealing on September 6th he tested positive and Tweeting Saturday that he is struggling with COVID-19.
Update from Covid-19 Ville. This shit is very real! And it sucks. I’ve never had so many symptoms hit me all at the same time. I keep moving around the house trying to escape it. Please be safe and wear ur mask. I thought I was but with this evil shit you never know 🤬🤬🤬🤬
— Mark Calcavecchia (@MarkCalc) September 12, 2020The former Open Champion is the second known full-time Champions Tour player to have tested positive for COVID-19 and he deserves plenty of kudos for his disclosure despite still suffering from serious side effects.
Hang in there Calc and wife/caddie Brenda.
This news was juxtaposed by three-time winner and PGA Tour Policy Board member Kevin Kisner responding to a Tweet in crass fashion. The suggesting former Kentucky basketball star’s family brought the virus on themselves, only to delete and apologize. But only after significant backlash and some unfortunate “likes” from fellow pro golfers.
The screenshot of the original since-deleted Tweet and Kisner’s insensitive reply is embedded above.
The apology Tweet did sound like Kisner and was not appreciated by Chapman.
Earlier this morning, I made a reckless comment. I diminished the real experience of pain and loss suffered by many during the pandemic. I am not without empathy, but I certainly exercised poor judgement. I apologize to @RexChapman and anyone else that was hurt by my comment.
— Kevin Kisner (@K_Kisner) September 12, 2020Not accepted. Done with people like you. We all are.
— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) September 12, 2020The PGA Tour issued a flaccid, unsigned condemnation despite Kisner’s prominent role in the Tour’s pandemic response as a Policy Board member. He’s also one of nine votes on a variety of matters including executive compensation.
From Bob Harig’s ESPN.com report on the social media dust-up.
"We found Kevin's comment this morning to be both disappointing and out of character," the statement said. "His remarks do not reflect the nature of our sport or organization, both of which strive to offer compassion and unity. We were pleased to see Kevin take ownership of the situation and have since spoken to him directly.''
Last week Kisner suggested a return of fans was needed because revenues were not the same.