What do you think of the "No women members allowed" at Augusta

[Golfgal]

Hi Everyone

I am writing an article about the Masters for Inside Golf and I want to include in it some thoughts on the "no women members allowed" rule.

I don't want it to be my opinion in the article, but a collection of opinions by avid golfers like all of you.

So...care to share your thoughts on this? I will keep your ID's out of it if you'd prefer not to be ID'd.

thanks
Gayle

[tjy355]

Is there really a "no women members allowed" rule at ANGC ?

[Shorty]

Hi Everyone

To mangle what Groucho Marx said, if I was a woman, I wouldn't want to be a member of a club that didn't want me as a member.

[Fourputt]

Is there really a "no women members allowed" rule at ANGC ?

Yes, but it isn't the only place around that has that distinction. We have a private club here in Lakewood Co with the same policy. Bear Creek Golf Club is a private men only club, an Arnold Palmer designed course which I understand is a real bear to play.

As far as I'm concerned, a private club has the right to set its own rules, including membership requirements. I don't necessarily agree with such a policy myself, but I do stand behind their right to chart their own course. Pretty much everything about Augusta National is a bit anachronistic, so that's just in keeping with the whole theme.

[golf_junkie27]

It's a private club. They are not bound to any of the rules of inclusion of public places. While it may be unfortunate, they can do whatever they want. It does not seem to hurt attendance at the Masters nor has it slowed down the desire of many to become members.

Furthermore, the club is by invitation only. IIRC, they would not let Bill Gates join because he had made his desire public. They made him wait and wait and wait.

Lastly, as a man of color, I don't argue their stand about who they let in. Be it because of race, age or sex. Why? For emphasis, it's a private club. For those that don't like it, find another club. Or better yet, be like Justin Timberlake and build a state of the art municipal golf course.

[Iowa Hawkeye]

I agree, if I'm not allowed, being there would feel even worse because you know you aren't wanted.

[DaveLeeNC]

Hi Everyone

In practical terms there is pretty nothing nothing that I can do (as a male) to get an invitation to join ANGC.

If the only problem was that I was female there is a solution to that problem. Half kidding here, but it seems to me to be a very unimportant question. ANGC is a super exclusive, private club. It's membership rules are pretty unimportant in the scheme of things that are important. dave

[Golfgal]

Is there really a "no women members allowed" rule at ANGC ?

Oh yes. Remember

Martha Burk in 2002? She protested it and it made quite a fuss.

[Grndslmhttr3]

The way I see it, it's their club, so they can have whatever rules they want.

[Golfgal]

Do you remember when there was a sign at St Andrews that said, "No women. No dogs."?

I remember seeing it, but can't find it today. Too bad - it was a great picture.

[David in FL]

Call me a chauvinist, but I think a private club should be able to admit, or exclude whomever they like.

[Golfgal]

It's a private club. They are not bound to any of the rules of inclusion of public places. While it may be unfortunate, they can do whatever they want. It does not seem to hurt attendance at the Masters nor has it slowed down the desire of many to become members.

Excellent points. Forgive my ignorance, but are private clubs allowed to exclude people because of race in the US, just because they are "private"?

[Shindig]

Oh yes. Remember

Miss Burk's protest doesn't mean that there is a rule against women members. I doubt that ANGC permitted her to examine the membership rules.

[Grndslmhttr3]

There are such things as "all-girl" or "all-boy" schools. Why not "all-[specific gender]" clubs?

[Golfgal]

Miss Burk's protest doesn't mean that there is a rule against women members. I doubt that ANGC permitted her to examine the membership rules.

:) You are probably right about not letting her examine the rules. This

article was posted last year before the Masters. Now I realize that Wikipedia isn't exactly an "official" reference, but it says: "Augusta National Golf Club has about 300 members at any given time. Membership is strictly by invitation; there is no application process. It is expected that annual dues are low (less than $10,000 per year) given the Masters Broadcast on CBS earns the Club millions per year. Amid much criticism of exclusive and discriminatory admissions, Augusta accepted a black member in 1990. There are currently no female members of Augusta, although women are able to play the course as guests of a member. The club's lack of female membership received national attention in 2002 when Martha Burk, chairperson of the National Council of Women's Organizations, publicly challenged the club's stance. Pressure placed upon corporate sponsors of The Masters over the 2002 controversy led the Club to voluntarily broadcast the 2003 and 2004 tournaments without commercials."

[flanagan]

Hi Everyone

I think your premise is wrong. There is not a "no women members allowed" rule at Augusta National. I'm pretty sure the rule is that a prospective member is by invitation only. It's probably no coincidence women are not invited to join, but there is no rule or policy against women.

Freedom includes freedom of association and private clubs can discriminate legally (providing something else about their funding, access or operation doesn't disqualify them). Looks like your above post was being written while mine was. I would never cite Wiki for anything. My information comes from "The Masters" by Curt Sampson where he points out, from the Chairman himself, the change from an application process to invitation only was brought about because of not wanting a public relations disaster for Eisenhower if the club turned down a black member.

[DaveLeeNC]

Excellent points. Forgive my ignorance, but are private clubs allowed to exclude people because of race in the US, just because they are "private"?

In theory, yes. But the "private shield" isn't as automatic as you might think. If all the male executives of the XYZ corporation decided to form a private social group (female executives excluded) and were formally or informally doing/discussing corporate business at their social functions, that would be a problem. So it depends. dave

[uttexas]

Private clubs/memberships should be able to set their own rules on membership. There are private courses in my area that are 100% male and one is 100% certain religious belief.

Personally, I would not join a club that excluded people on the basis of religion, gender, or race. However, I do respect the right of private enterprises to restrict membership.

Organizations should allow anyone (regardless of religion, race, gender, etc) who meets professional or other criteria to join.
Places of public use should allow anyone to use the facilities (unless that individual proves to be potentially harmful to himself/herself or others)