2009 PGA Championship at Hazeltine

[pittpanther]

...but race is now no longer an obstacle to being a member of a country club. Denying access on the grounds of skin colour is unconstitutional in the USA or unlawful in the UK.

Huh? A private club is not bound by the constitution. The US Constitution describes bounds on the behavior of the Government and public entities, not necessarily on private citizens.

If I open a club to the public, I have to let everyone in (if my bouncers choose to block minorities from entering, the club can and will be sued for discrimination, because they are supposed to be "public"). If however I open a private club, I can sell (or restrict) memberships based on any criteria I choose, including race (or gender - see Augusta National, for example - unashamedly discriminatory, and proud of it).

[enduro]

I don't think race is as big a problem as you are presenting it. Of course, in years is gone by, people were not allowed to do certain things due to racial bigotry, but nowadays I don't think that there is much of an issue. I think that people have a complex about discrimination due to the past but race is now no longer an obstacle to being a member of a country club. Denying access on the grounds of skin colour is unconstitutional in the USA or unlawful in the UK.

I love when presumably white males say this.

[Elvisliveson]

I love when presumably white males say this.

And I love it when people intimate that just being a white male means that you never encountered any discrimination and couldn't possibly understand. You know, like there was/is never any discrimination against Jews, Italians or Irish people in this country, lol.

[senorchipotle]

And I love it when people intimate that just being a white male means that you never encountered any discrimination and couldn't possibly understand. You know, like there was/is never any discrimination against Jews, Italians or Irish people in this country, lol.

seriously? when was the last time you've heard of someone being discriminated against because their grandparents were italian, or irish? i'll give you jewish, but the other two, unless you're from new york or boston, are accepted as ''regular'' white americans.

[Elvisliveson]

seriously? when was the last time you've heard of someone being discriminated against because their grandparents were italian, or irish? i'll give you jewish, but the other two, unless you're from new york or boston, are accepted as ''regular'' white americans.

Come on now, there are still plenty of private clubs where all three are excluded.

The point is just being a white male is no golden ticket to a discrimination-free life.

[enduro]

Come on now, there are still plenty of private clubs where all three are excluded.

Except the entire world is geared to the enjoyment of white males, particularly well-to-do ones. Entire cultures are built upon this notion. White males are the master class.

Research patriarchy and white privilege. Men, particularly white men, are the central figures in economic, social and political life. Media and marketing is dominated for white males. Employment, housing, education and wealth are dominated by whites, particularly white males. Things are getting better, for sure. But it isn't crazy to think that someone that doesn't fit the profile of the western white male would be an inspiration to others that don't fit that profile either. It empowers groups of people that maybe didn't have that feeling before - the feeling of being first class. It's really easy for us white males to not understand this since most of us don't even realize this entire culture is designed with white males designated as the dominant figure if just about everything. This place is a very comfortable, inviting place for us. It isn't that way for everyone else.

[zeg]

Wow, this thread is going down hill fast...

[MMouse]

On a different note, did anyone else see the news story about the bookie who lost approx. $2 million because he paid out early? He paid those out the winnings to those who back Tiger after the 3rd round and before the 4th round started.

[nbukrey]

On a different note, did anyone else see the news story about the bookie who lost approx. $2 million because he paid out early? He paid those out the winnings to those who back Tiger after the 3rd round and before the 4th round started.

We were listening to this on the way to the tournament on XM on Sunday.. What bookie in the world would pay out early!?!!

[enduro]

We were listening to this on the way to the tournament on XM on Sunday.. What bookie in the world would pay out early!?!!

I know who I'm placing my bet with next time!

[Acropo]

Good post, just want to correct you on one thing...

I stand corrected. Wasn't aware of the cultural difference (UK/US).

(The term 'Asians' includes India/Pakistan and I specifically wanted to focus on the parts of the Far East that are producing lots of golfers - Korea, Japan, China. So no offence intended at all and apologies to anyone who was offended)