Augusta Invites First 2 Female Members

[Oh My!]

Good for Payne & Johnson.

Great for women!

Even greater to shut Martha Burk up forever!!

[hoyainspirit]

Washington Post article. Burk was not the problem here.

[Boz]

Aug 20, 2012 12:06:03 GMT -5 hoyainspirit said:

Washington Post article. Burk was not the problem here.

Really? Sure seems from that article that at least Burk still believes it was all about her.

[hoyainspirit]

Whatever she believes is swamped in relevance and importance by the 19th century policies of Augusta National.

[Boz]

There is nothing illegal, unethical or immoral about having a men's only club.

Hey, great for women and great for Augusta that they've decided to change that -- on their own terms, not Martha Burk's -- but there's no reason they couldn't have remained a men's only club.

If Augusta was not one of the most famous golf courses in the world, neither Martha Burk nor anyone else would care.

[hoyainspirit]

Aug 20, 2012 14:15:45 GMT -5 Boz said:

There is nothing illegal, unethical or immoral about having a men's only club.

Hey, great for women and great for Augusta that they've decided to change that -- on their own terms, not Martha Burk's -- but there's no reason they couldn't have remained a men's only club.

If Augusta was not one of the most famous golf courses in the world, neither Martha Burk nor anyone else would care.

Boz, I agree. They do have the right to remain whatever they want to be. But they are one of the most famous golf courses in the world, and they do host one of the greatest tournaments ever, a tournament sanctioned by the PGA. That sets them apart, and IMO, raises the bar. As well, they get all sorts of public support in the form of enhanced police protection, traffic control, clean up, even enhanced air traffic control to handle all the private planes flying in for the Masters. They should not be allowed a free pass on their neanderthal policies. Additionally, they get public support. In the '80's in New Orleans, several all white male Mardi Gras krewes went ballistic when the city told them they had to change their policies if they wanted to continue to enjoy free police protection and use of the streets for their parades. A few decided to give up their parade dates and permits rather than change their club rules, though most krewes willingly (or was it grudgingly?) changed their rules. For those krewes that didn't, that was their right. They are private clubs. Twenty plus years later, even those organizations changed their policies and now once again parade, to the delight of all parade goers. When you are high profile like that, and put on a public event of that magnitude, you should not get a free pass. Even if it's not illegal, immoral or unethical, it's so last century, and I applaud efforts to annually bring attention to those types of backward looking, backward thinking policies and organizations.

[Oh My!]

I never said Burk was the problem. I am certain the change has more to do w/ human decency (& sponsorship money). As I stated: Great for women!

Also, Boz, for once, has a very good point..............Heck, Burning Tree is right here in the backyard of the Nation's Capital!

[Boz]

You're missing the point again, spirit.

Your argument about public support is a fair one, and you definitely have a good point there.

But in the same breath, you call the policy neanderthal.

Again, what is so neanderthal about having a men's only club??

There are lots of exclusive private clubs that cater to all kinds of constituencies.

Anyway, whatever. Welcome to Augusta, Condi! You are a great lady! (And you too, whoever that other woman is.)

And EVERY point I make is a good one, motherf***er!

[kchoya]

Aug 20, 2012 15:40:27 GMT -5 hoyainspirit said:

Aug 20, 2012 14:15:45 GMT -5 Boz said:

There is nothing illegal, unethical or immoral about having a men's only club.

Hey, great for women and great for Augusta that they've decided to change that -- on their own terms, not Martha Burk's -- but there's no reason they couldn't have remained a men's only club.

If Augusta was not one of the most famous golf courses in the world, neither Martha Burk nor anyone else would care.

Boz, I agree. They do have the right to remain whatever they want to be. But they are one of the most famous golf courses in the world, and they do host one of the greatest tournaments ever, a tournament sanctioned by the PGA. That sets them apart, and IMO, raises the bar. As well, they get all sorts of public support in the form of enhanced police protection, traffic control, clean up, even enhanced air traffic control to handle all the private planes flying in for the Masters. They should not be allowed a free pass on their neanderthal policies. Additionally, they get public support. In the '80's in New Orleans, several all white male Mardi Gras krewes went ballistic when the city told them they had to change their policies if they wanted to continue to enjoy free police protection and use of the streets for their parades. A few decided to give up their parade dates and permits rather than change their club rules, though most krewes willingly (or was it grudgingly?) changed their rules. For those krewes that didn't, that was their right. They are private clubs. Twenty plus years later, even those organizations changed their policies and now once again parade, to the delight of all parade goers. When you are high profile like that, and put on a public event of that magnitude, you should not get a free pass. Even if it's not illegal, immoral or unethical, it's so last century, and I applaud efforts to annually bring attention to those types of backward looking, backward thinking policies and organizations.

Public support? Whatever freebies Augusta Nat'l gets is more than balanced by the $$$ the town and it's business make during Masters week. Ever been to Augusta? People aren't going there 51 weeks of the year to vacation.