Augusta National admits two female members

[LSU_justin]

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/golf/story/2012-08-20/masters-admits-female-members-condoleezza-rice-darla-moore/57160252/1

One of whom is Condolezza Rice. Wonder why they finally caved?

[Beachcomber]

I'm surprised they caved.  I guess it isn't a fraternal order?

[Chilli Dipper]

A woman was going to be granted membership at some point during Billy Payne's tenure; it was only a matter of finding the right candidate, and timing the announcement so that it was on Augusta National's terms. I don't know anything about the other new member, but Condi Rice certainly is a woman no one is going to question, and this comes at a time when no one is talking about how Augusta National doesn't have any female members.

[Beachcomber]

Originally Posted by Chilli Dipper

A woman was going to be granted membership at some point during Billy Payne's tenure; it was only a matter of finding the right candidate, and timing the announcement so that it was on Augusta National's terms. I don't know anything about the other new member, but Condi Rice certainly is a woman no one is going to question, and this comes at a time when no one is talking about how Augusta National doesn't have any female members.

On the Golf Channel - they said the other lady is close friends with Condi Rice.  She has an impressive resume to compliment Condi's.

I'm sure they needed to admit two ladies so that she wasn't playing as a single? (joke)

[bnz506]

I always knew she would be the first.... I would have been surprised if she wasnt.

[bamagrad03]

Condi Rice is also a member at Shoal Creek.

[zipazoid]

Didn't Hootie say during the Martha Burk fiasco that they would admit female members but not 'at the point of a bayonet'..?

Looks like they did it on their timeline. Maybe that's caving, or maybe they just decided internally that the time was right.

[Golfingdad]

Originally Posted by zipazoid

Didn't Hootie say during the Martha Burk fiasco that they would admit female members but not 'at the point of a bayonet'..?

Looks like they did it on their timeline. Maybe that's caving, or maybe they just decided internally that the time was right.

Yeha, he never said he'd never admit a female member, he just said he'd never be forced to do it.

The thing that always gets me about this type of thing - where some exclusionary entity decides for whatever reason to not be anymore - is what the newly admitted member is thinking.  This one is slightly different, I think, in that its not like Augusta hated women.  Plenty of women play there and stay there and eat there as guests or family members, I believe.  But situations like the Shoal Creek deal back in the 80's ... what makes that first black man decide he wants to be a member of a club that has a history of hating black people, and only admitted one begrudgingly.

[newtogolf]

Some people want to be pioneers for their cause and are willing to deal with the heat that comes with it.  Interesting thing with Augusta and Shoal Creek is that it's just not a issue with getting an invite to be a member, you also have to cough up a lot of money for the initiation fees and annual dues.

Originally Posted by Golfingdad

Yeha, he never said he'd never admit a female member, he just said he'd never be forced to do it.

The thing that always gets me about this type of thing - where some exclusionary entity decides for whatever reason to not be anymore - is what the newly admitted member is thinking.  This one is slightly different, I think, in that its not like Augusta hated women.  Plenty of women play there and stay there and eat there as guests or family members, I believe.  But situations like the Shoal Creek deal back in the 80's ... what makes that first black man decide he wants to be a member of a club that has a history of hating black people, and only admitted one begrudgingly.

[ClayHbg]

Shoal Creek and Augusta both excluded Blacks until 1990 (still hard to believe).  Condi is now a member at both.

[zipazoid]

And a Browns fan.

[Clambake]

Originally Posted by newtogolf

Interesting thing with Augusta and Shoal Creek is that it's just not a issue with getting an invite to be a member, you also have to cough up a lot of money for the initiation fees and annual dues.

Not so with Augusta - the memberships are said to be extremely inexpensive with very low initiation and almost trivial annual dues.  A Golf World magazine article a few years ago had information from someone inside Augusta, and they indicated the initiation fee was "very low 5 figures" (probably under $20k) and annual dues were "a few thousand" (so probably only $200-300 per month).    They make so much money from the Masters that they don't have to turn to their membership to maintain and improve the facility.

I'm delighted that they've finally made this move, and am glad that they chose Condi Rice as one of the members.   Regardless of what one feels about her politically, she seems to be an interesting and classy individual, and she is truly a golf nut.    At the US Open in Pebble a couple years ago I ran into her in the Lodge during practice days, saw her in one of the temporary restaurants later in the week, and ago out on the course on the weekend - she seemed like any other obsessed golf fan.

[ndb8fxe]

This is interesting for a couple of reasons.  First I don't understand the mentality to exclude a race or gender from anything.  It seems very small minded especially in this day and age.  I cant see what the allure is to join a club like this other than a nice course.  I enjoy the presence of women and wouldn't want to be in a place that did not allow women.  Even if I had the money and the invite I wouldn't join a club that is so bigoted.

Then it would be interesting to see what Rice's perspective is.  It seems kind of like a Catch 22.  On one hand they are "changing" their ways and allowing her to join.  But, on the other hand, she is now a member of a historically racist and genderist (best i could think of) group.  Does this mean she is endorsing what the club is(still racist and genderist)?  They allowed her to join because she is an elite, but until they allow normal women in, the club hasn't done anything to change their political stance.  Condi is just a pawn or patsy  in helping the club appear better and more politically correct.

What do you think?  Changing their ways or a great chess move to improve their image while maintaining their old philosophy?

[newtogolf]

Maybe now the Chicago Women's Golf Club will be forced to allow men to join too.

[sam004]

Originally Posted by zipazoid

And a Browns fan.

Wow Football fan and a golfer, and not married !

She's a keeper.

Does this mean they have to install a set of Forward tees [ladies tees] ?

EDIT -

Answered my own question with a quick search.

GOLF:

Memberships: Stanford Golf Course, San Francisco Golf Club, Shoal Creek, Country Club of Birmingham.

[And now Augusta]

Handicap Index:16.4

Best score: 87

Read More http://www.golfdigest.com/magazine/2011-06/condoleeza-rice-interview#ixzz247FdZT3g

[Chas]

If this decision reflects the views of most members then I think it's a good idea, if not then it's highly 'political' - a cave-in, obviously.  Had I been a member I'd probably have voted for the change myself, if there was a vote of some kind.

Does anyone know how many golf clubs still exist that restrict membership to one sex?  I looked up Chicago Women's Golf Club and that would indeed be one.

[Dave2512]

Pretty sure Cherry Hills in Denver is still a boys club.

[turtleback]

Originally Posted by Beachcomber

I'm surprised they caved.  I guess it isn't a fraternal order?

I don't think they caved at all.  I think they waited until there was no public pressure.  Doing it on their own terms and NOT being seen as bowing to public pressure is what was important to them.  That Burke woman probably delayed the admittance of the first woman member by 5 years.