The owner of a golf course in Wisconsin is trying to quell the furor he's created after an ill-advised attempt to tie a golfing promotion to the nation's remembrance of the horrific attacks of Sept., 11, 2001. In an ad titled "12 Anniversary of 9-11" Tumbledown Golf Course offered up "9 holes with cart for only $9.11 per person."
The ad for the golf course, in Verona, Wisc. ran in Monday's Wisconsin State Journal. When a photo of the questionable ad was shared on social networks online, word of the promotion spread like wildfire. Public reaction was swift and passionate.
Owner and general manager Marc Watts said he has received death threats and threats to burn down the family-operated public golf course. The local sheriff's department sent a deputy there Tuesday and Watts said another officer will be back on Wednesday.
"We're a little hurt by the fact that people are putting such a negative context on this," Watts said. "I thought people would appreciate it." He apologized Monday night on the course's Facebook page and has promised to donate the difference between the course's normal rate and the advertised special to the 9/11 Memorial fund. Watts insists there was never an intent to offend anyone.
He considered closing the golf course Wednesday, the 11th, because of safety concerns, but decided to keep it open despite the threats. The promotion actually began two years ago, on the 10th anniversary of the attacks, but only gained notoriety after this week's ad.
The controversial ad:
The Facebook apology:
