The Augusta National Golf Club acts like a bunch of boys who have built a fort with a sign on the ladder saying, “No Girls Allowed.” It’s time to bring the club, and the Masters, into the 21st century.
The club, which allows women to play as guests on their courses but will not let them become members, won’t allow female golfers to compete in the Masters.
William “Hootie” Johnson, ANGC chairman, has decided that he does not want to get his sponsors involved in the dispute so he has dropped them from the tournament, according to an Associated Press article. But was he looking out for the sponsors’ reputations or is he just protecting himself?
It is as if he is just trying to drop them before Martha Burke, the head of the National Council of Women’s Organizations, persuades the sponsors to discontinue their support of the golf club. The NCWO has around 6,000 members and represents close to 160 different women’s organizations.
The Masters Golf Tournament, held annually at the Augusta National Golf Club facilities, is recognized as an official event of the PGA Tour. This event is not scheduled to take place until April of next year, but the way things are going there might not be an event.
It is very likely that unless these men open their calendars and realize what times we are living in, there might be enough opposition to keep the tournament from happening. I don’t think Johnson realizes the power and loyalty of women from all different walks of life in a situation which questions their equality to men.
Along with contacting the sponsors of the tournament to suggest that they withdraw their support, Burke also has contacted CBS in an attempt to get the network to not cover the Masters unless the club agrees to allow women to join and compete. CBS has not given a clear answer on this.
It seems as though nobody wants to touch this issue except for Johnson. He is the only one confident enough, or possibly foolish enough, to voice his beliefs.
While he is completely entitled to his opinion, it’s a completely different issue when those beliefs hinder the opportunity and succss of a whole group of people.
This is America, people, where “all men are created equal.” I thought we had gotten past the idea that this ideal only referred to the Protestant white males of the country. It wasn’t until 12 years ago that the ANGC allowed African Americans to become members.
Male athletes should not be threatened by female athletes, so why not allow someone with the same sports interests to join the club, unless men are afraid that women are going to show them up. It’s absolutely amazing how many grown men simply need to grow up.