Open Letter to PGA, PGA Tour and Sponsors of Pro Golfer John Henry Isenhour

To, The PGA Leadership, PGA Sponsors and Mr. John Henry Isenhours Sponsors,

The December killing of a Red-shouldered Hawk in Florida by John Henry Isenhour III is a deplorable and senseless act and must not be passively tolerated by the PGA or it’s Sponsors. I am a tour fan, golfer and at times a political activist. I have spent much of my life in a volunteer capacity working for the protection and recovery of injured Birds of Prey.

Over the years I have received much criticism for supporting golf because of it’s many negative impacts to the environment. I have consistently argued that while golf has a poor history of environmentally sound practices it has made huge strides in recent years to be more environmentally sensitivity. I have also been an advocate for programs that First Tee and others have developed to build positive values in our youth and communities. Mr. Isenhours misconduct has seriously set back gains that improve the image of the game to an increasingly environmentally sensitive community and he has seriously discredited community efforts in general. I don’t feel too good about a child being encouraged or taught that it’s no big deal to target practice on Hawks or other small animals on the golf course.

I have been instrumental in gaining “environmental tolerance” for our sport in my local community. I can’t help but feel Mr. Isenhour has tossed my efforts under foot. This should not be an animals rights issue but unfortunately Mr. Isenhour has given that politics fuel as well. The issue is about a person in the PGA who does not have the moral character or integrity to be in its ranks. Isenhour has in fact committed a crime while in service of the sport and it’s sponsors. I will not discount his actions as “regrettable and unfortunate” and move on as the PGA seems content in doing…

The PGA’s pathetic response and lack of sensitivity at this point continues to further golfs current decline in popularity. Mr. Isenhours “regrettable and unfortunate” act is offensive to me and certainly to thousands of others who enjoy the sport. To know that Mr. Isenhour has just recruited new naysayers to the ranks of those who despise our sport is awful and disheartening. He has done much to further a community view that golfers are bunch of thoughtless, callus, disrespecting, elitists and this is much to bear for the sake of the sport. I reiterate the PGA’s lack of serious punitive action only furthers a negative view of our sport. At this point I am ashamed of the PGA and it’s sponsors lack of response to Mr. Isenhours hideous actions. …”Regrettable and unfortunate” isn’t good enough, you lack imagination and integrity at best. Any other debate is rhetoric from the political divide of our time and not action from those with integrity or intelligence. 

Mr. Isenhour should be banned from the sport. This was not an accident. All accounts are that Mr. Isenhour pursued the Hawk and took multiple shots at the bird. Once the bird moved within a range to become a viable target, he deliberately hit and killed the Hawk. I am not a professional golfer but I hit the ball well enough to know with certainty that a small target can be easily and consistently hit at short ranges. Mr. Isenhour’s denial saying that, “people don’t understand golf” that “it was a one in a million shot” and “it was an accident” proves him to be insulting, deceitful and a lair. If the PGA and it’s sponsors do nothing toward serious punitive action against Mr. Isenhour and refute his claims, “that it was an accident” and that it was “one in a million shot”, I will consider the PGA and it’s sponsors to be complicit in the insult, deceit and lies.

Regards,

Randy Martin

Alamogordo, NM