Ted Bishop has been removed from his post as the president of the PGA of America for “insensitive gender-based statements” about Ian Poulter on social media, the golf governing body has announced.

Bishop called Poulter a “Lil Girl” in a series of outbursts on his personal Twitter and Facebook pages on Thursday in posts that have since been deleted.

Bishop, the 38th PGA president, was reacting to the English Ryder Cup player making critical remarks in his recently released autobiography about the methods of Tom Watson and Nick Faldo as captains in the Europe v USA tournament.

Poulter hit back at the 38th PGA president, labelling the comments “pretty shocking and disappointing”, and on Friday the PGA of America announced it had voted to relieve Bishop of his duties.

A statement read: “The PGA of America board of directors voted today to remove Ted Bishop from office for insensitive gender-based statements posted yesterday on social media. The board deemed the remarks to be inconsistent with the policies of the PGA.”

The PGA chief executive, Pete Bevacqu, said: “The PGA of America understands the enormous responsibility it has to lead this great game and to enrich lives in our society through golf. We must demand of ourselves that we make golf both welcoming and inclusive to all who want to experience it, and everyone at the PGA of America must lead by example.”

The vice-president, Derek Sprague, has been appointed the interim president until 22 November, when there will be an election.

Sprague said: “We apologise to any individual or group that felt diminished, in any way, by this unacceptable incident.”

Bishop first wrote on Twitter: “@IanJamesPoulter – Faldo’s record stands by itself. Six majors and all-time RC points. Yours vs. His? Lil Girl. @NickFaldo006 @pgaofamerica.”

Bishop then expanded his point on Facebook, saying: “Used to be athletes who had lesser records or accomplishments in a sport never criticized the icons. Tom Watson (8 majors and a 10-3-1 Ryder Cup record) and Nick Faldo (6 majors and all-time Ryder Cup points leader) get bashed by Ian James Poulter. Really? Sounds like a little school girl squealing during recess. C’MON MAN!”

Poulter, himself yet to triumph in a major, was taken aback by the remark.

“Is being called a ‘lil girl’ meant to be derogatory or a put down?” Poulter said to Golf Channel. “That’s pretty shocking and disappointing, especially coming from the leader of the PGA of America. No further comment.”

The 38-year-old questioned Watson in his book, saying his captaincy at the recent Ryder Cup, which Europe won 16½-11½, was “utterly bizarre” and handed the initiative to Europe.

Faldo, Europe’s all-time leading points scorer, also came in for criticism from Poulter for saying Sergio García was “useless” in 2008 in television commentary.

“Faldo has lost a lot of respect from players because of what he said,” Poulter wrote in ‘No Limits’. “[2008] is the only Ryder Cup we’ve lost in the last 15 years. And he was captain. So who’s useless? I think Faldo might need to have a little look in the mirror.”