Teddy Greenstein on the membership at Butler National voting overwhelmingly to keep it a male only club. The vote eliminates the Chicago layout from any consideration to host events such as the U.S. Open, BMW Championship and Ryder Cup.
This might be a surprising decision given the club's is in need of some cash after their 2004 Tom Fazio redo and membership decline.
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Sources said the decision puts the club in a precarious financial state. A membership decline, in part due to business executives resigning because of the all-male stigma, means the club will have to increase annual dues and perhaps lower initiation fees for national members.
"We're in a death spiral," said one member of the club's future.
A U.S. Open could generate more than $4 million for the club, industry analysts say, and Monday corporate outing would bring in a consistent flow of cash.
But those voting against adding women apparently like the all-male feel of the 20,000-foot clubhouse, which was not designed to accommodate women.
But those voting against adding women apparently like the all-male feel of the 20,000-foot clubhouse, which was not designed to accommodate women.
And politics are at play. Club President Ed Gustafson is a disciple of Don Kelly, a former club president and key figure in the club's growth who was adamant about an all-male membership.
The course dropped from 37th to 54th in Golf Digest's most recent list of the top 100 American courses.
