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Paulina Gretzky: Golf Digest defends making her cover girl

Golf Digest said it chose Paulina Gretzky for April cover because her boyfriend is Dustin Johnson.

By Danielle Haynes
Paulina Gretzky on cover of Golf Digest.
Paulina Gretzky on cover of Golf Digest.

NEW YORK, April 4 (UPI) -- Golf Digest put Paulina Gretzky, the daughter of hockey great Wayne Gretzky, on its cover and some pro golfers weren't too happy with the decision.

The 25-year-old graces the cover of the April edition wearing white yoga pants and a sports bra while leaning against a golf club.

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She likes to dabble in golf a little, but mostly she's known to the golfing world as the girlfriend of PGA Tour star Dustin Johnson.

Some golfers didn't understand why she was chosen for the cover in the first place.

“It’s frustrating for female golfers," golfer Stacy Lewis said.

"It’s kind of the state of where we’ve always been. We don’t get respect for being the golfers that we are. Obviously, Golf Digest is trying to sell magazines. But at the same time you’d like to see a little respect for the women’s game."

Inbee Park, the world's No. 1 female golfer didn't even know who Paulina Gretzky was.

“It’s frustrating because it’s Golf Digest; it’s not Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue,” golf pro Julie Inkster said.

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“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.”

Golf Digest defended its decision to feature Gretzky, pointing out that she's a celebrity in the golf world because of her boyfriend and because of her connection to professional hockey.

“Sports figures, celebrities and models have appeared on Golf Digest covers since the magazine's beginning," Golf Digest Editor-in-Chief Jerry Tarde said. “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."

“OK, 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," Inkster said.

[New York Times]

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