Dottie Pepper is fearless in calling out people’s mishaps. Remember, the Farmers Insurance Open? The former LPGA pro was the lead on-course reporter for the event and was following the final group of Harris English, Andrew Novak, and Aldrich Potgieter. The snail-like pace on display by the group clearly bothered Pepper. The CBS Reporter minced no words when she addressed the same live on the broadcast with her teammate Frank Nobilo. “You know, Frank, I think we’re starting to need a new word to talk about this pace of play issue, and it’s respect. For your fellow competitors, for the fans, for broadcasts, for all of it. It’s just gotta get better.” Pepper stated, bluntly.

So, there was nothing strange when the two-time LPGA Major winner recently silenced a troll with a direct statement on X. Pepper is part of the broadcast team at CBS for covering the ongoing CJ Cup Byron Nelson at the TPC Craig Ranch in Texas.

An X user found it bothersome that Dottie Pepper was mispronouncing the name of Ricky Castillo, a young golfer from the University of Florida. He called out the broadcaster publicly on his social media profile, tweeting, “@dottie_pepper It’s pronounced like CASTEEYO, it is NOT Castilio!!! JEEZUZ it’s amazing how little knowledge and preparation goes into the ‘job’ you all do. Be better!!!!” And she was ready to clap back!

Dottie Pepper did not use her words this time. She simply put out an image as a reply to the tweet. The image had the player sheet for the 24-year-old golfer with the following bullet point, “Last name pronunciation: cuh-STILL-ee-oh (Ricky is of Filipino descent).” The note clearly indicates that Dottie Pepper did not just get her role by waltzing in with bare hands. Defending herself, she found a brilliant way to shut up the trolls around her.

The enigmatic reporter has always been fearless when it comes to spitting facts. “You never want to be afraid to pull the trigger”, Pepper had once stated. That voice of accountability is what at times is found lacking in broadcasts.

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The sharpshooting style of Dottie Pepper

Pepper’s unflinching, sharpshooting style is what the broadcast team really needs. Her comments regarding the pace of play issue at Torrey Pines caught fire amongst fans, but she did not feel that anything she said was out of place. “I’m not trying to be hard on anybody, and I’m not trying to be a powder puff either. I know I’ve done my homework, and it’s a fair assessment.” She said after fans praised her for her words on live TV.

For up-and-coming broadcasters, the former LPGA pro has a sound advice on how to approach tricky topics. “I got great advice once to run your opinions through a filter first, especially if it’s a hot-button topic. Think about what the tone is — is it what it should be? Hear it once in your own head and then deliver it.” Pepper explained.

What do you think of Dottie Pepper’s actions as a broadcaster? Is the directness a way of infusing fresh energy on to the golf course? Chime in in the comments below!