Sandy City Drops Callaway Gear After Viral Ad Depicts Violence Against Women

Key points

• Sandy Mayor Monica Zoltanski announced that River Oaks Golf Course will remove Callaway products to stock women-owned brands instead, citing the need for safe public recreation spaces.
• The controversial ad featured Good Good co-founder Garrett Clark shoving 26-year-old pro golfer Alexis Miestowski to the ground while saying, 'Do not touch my new driver.'
• Callaway CEO Chip Brewer admitted the company approved the ad, calling it a mistake, and pledged $1 million to organizations preventing violence against women.
• Good Good Golf lost its title sponsorship for the PGA Tour’s Good Good Championship in Austin, Texas, and ended its partnership with Callaway.
• Good Good CEO Matt Kendrick stated he did not see the ad before it aired but acknowledged his marketing team approved it, leading to the removal of responsible staff.

Background

This incident follows a week of intense backlash in the golf community, where retailers like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Golf Galaxy pulled Good Good merchandise. The controversy highlights a growing tension between traditional golf institutions and newer, internet-driven media brands. Previous coverage noted that the PGA Tour was evaluating its relationship with Good Good, while the brand faced criticism for its initial defensive response to the viral video.

How outlets are covering it

Outlets differ in their focus on the corporate fallout versus local civic response. The Salt Lake Tribune emphasizes the municipal decision to replace Callaway with women-owned brands, framing it as a community safety issue. CNN frames the event as a clash between golf’s traditional 'old guard' and the 'new world' of internet influencers, noting PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp’s criticism of Good Good’s initial lack of accountability. CBS News highlights the business consequences, including the loss of the PGA Tour sponsorship and the $1 million donation, while Front Office Sports provides direct quotes from Good Good CEO Matt Kendrick, who claimed he was unaware of the ad’s content before release and expressed frustration with Callaway’s handling of the situation. All sources agree that the ad depicted violence against women and that both companies have since severed ties and issued apologies.

Why it matters

The story illustrates how social media backlash can rapidly alter corporate partnerships and local government procurement decisions. It signals a shift in how public entities and major sports organizations vet content and sponsors, prioritizing inclusivity and safety over commercial relationships. The removal of Callaway from a public golf course sets a precedent for municipalities to actively curate brands based on social responsibility, while the loss of the PGA Tour sponsorship demonstrates the financial risks of reputational damage in the sports industry.

What to watch

Good Good Golf plans to donate the proceeds from the controversial driver campaign to a local organization supporting women. The company is implementing new content review processes and has removed staff responsible for the ad. The PGA Tour will continue to monitor the situation, though the November championship event has already been canceled. Sandy City will proceed with stocking women-owned brands at River Oaks Golf Course, aiming to create a more inclusive environment for all residents.