Tour pros next in Augusta lobbying effort (Hootie Responds)

AP ^ | Sept. 3, 2002 | AP

[Corin Stormhands]

Your reply #11 has nothing to do with it, once again demonstrating that you don't understand the issue.

It's a private club. That's the issue. Nothing more. Nothing less.

[marshmallow]

Who says they hate women?

If I and three of my buddies decide to get together and play poker on a Wednesday night, is this a constitutional issue? Do we have a right to gather in my friend's basement, free of females, and while away the hours? Or do I neeed to consult Martha Burk?

The same goes for the National. If 300 old guys decide they want to play golf, free of the female presence, good luck to them. Why should it be anyone else's business.

I'd quite like to join Cory Everson's Fitness Centers and cop an eyeful of women in leotards but they won't let me in.

Burk is a fascist.

[mewzilla]

I agree with you there. But how does a women playing as a club member instead of a guest screw with a guy's enjoyment of his game? Come on, even a broken clock is right twice a day. This chick may have impure motives, but that doesn't mean the question asked here shouldn't be addressed. I'd really like to know. Heck if some guy wanted to join the local woman's health club, I could care less. The gender of the person using the facilities with me doesn't matter to me at all. What do I care?

[mewzilla]

But no-one has answered my question: how and/or why does a woman golfing as a member and not a guest ruin a guy's enjoyment of his game?

[tomkat]

i'm only down to yours, so someone prolly already said this,
but sometimes, just sometimes, it's nice to be away ...

[Mr. Mojo]

This isn't about golf or the PGA tour, it's about radical feminists exploiting Augusta National to get media attention.

Correct, but I don't think NOW knows what they're up against this time. Augusta National would nix The Masters altogether rather than cave in to the demands to these sexless beasts (not that they're going to do either). They [NOW] will be slaughtered like the pigs they are if they decide to pursue this.

[jz638]

I guess I just don't understand the He-Man Women Hater's Club aspect to this.

There is a lot deliberately left out of the argument by the grumpy women's groups. 1.) Augusta is a private golf club of about 300 people. This isn't a million member men's only group we're talking about.

2.) No one's application is being denied here, there are no applications to deny. Members join through invitation only, how they're selected is their own business.

3.) It's freaking expensive. Yearly membership costs are probably well over $30,000.

4.) No pool, just golf. Family-friendly ammenities like a swimming pool are missing from Augusta.

The question isn't why women can't be admitted for membership; it is more along the lines of how many unmarried women live in Georgia, love golf, socialize with Augusta members, don't have kids to raise or entertain, and oh by the way have an extra 30 grand to toss around each year on a club membership.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

...The gender of the person using the facilities with me doesn't matter to me at all....

I agree, but that isn't the point. Your vote and my vote doesn't count - it's a private club and only the members votes count.

Augusta National should have the freedom to make the rules for their club just as Wellesley College has the freedom to make rules that ban men from the school (hrc notwithstanding).

[Glenn]

Correct, but I don't think NOW knows what they're up against this time.

The hell they don't. What you fellas are missing here is that this all-encompassing women's organization has but one purspose -- to kick men in the balls. This isn't about membership at Augusta. It's about showing hubby who is boss come Saturday morning.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

"how does a woman being a member instead of a guest affect your enjoyment of your golf outing"

It really is none of your concern dearie. I will say though that maybe you should notice that men enjoy many activities that are quiet and peaceful...

[tomkat]

yep, i reckon that 'bout sums it up ...

[Oldeconomybuyer]

But no-one has answered my question: how and/or why does a woman golfing as a member and not a guest ruin a guy's enjoyment of his game?

You question is moot unless you are a member of Augusta National.

[lonestar]

I agree that since it's a private club, what's-her-name doesn't have a legal leg to stand on. But come on, just out of curiosity, how does a woman being a member instead of a guest affect your enjoyment of your golf outing?

Out of curiosity, do you think the members of the club have the right to determine for themselves who should be included in the membership, or it should be determined by a judge?

Personally, I didn't like it when the Lions Club and Kiwanis Club started allowing women. I think it's good for men to have men-only clubs. You don't see men trying to join the Garden Club or the Junior League.

My guess is the women who play at Augusta are content with the way things are--letting the men pay the bills.

[clintonh8r]

Here's a practical demonstration. Start your own private club. Then see if you like some outsider telling you who should or should not have access to it. Then, if the outsider doesn't agree with your response, (s)he begins to harrass your friends, members and business partners. Then come back and give us a brief report. (Hint: It doesn't have that much to do with golf. It's a little more important than that).

[Mr. Mojo]

this all-encompassing women's organization has but one purspose -- to kick men in the balls.

No argument there. My point is that Hootie and the guys at Augusta Nation won't take kindly to those attempts at emasculation, and will dish out more than they receive. NOW isn't used to such male boldness.

[colorado tanker]

Marth Burk is the "Chair" of the National Council of Women's Organizations. So why is it OK to have "women's organizations" but not "men's organizations"??

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Women who act like you are on this thread is probably the best answer to your question as to "why does a woman golfing as a member and not a guest ruin a guy's enjoyment of his game".

[Rebel-without-a-pause]

I'll take a stab at this. I have no horse in this race, I don't play golf and don't particularly like the game, so there....I don't think having a woman as a member screws up a man's enjoyment of the game. It has to do with the right of free association. He can belong to a club that has the right to choose it's membership. As I understand it, men play at the same time as women in the club, but the women can't become members. Women have to be envited to play. Does that sound about right?

[Glenn]

NOW isn't used to such male boldness.

I understand your point, and you are right. But we disagree on their motivation.

[mewzilla]

But it would never occur to me to base my club membership on gender. That's what I don't get. Political philosophies, hobbies, literary tastes, yes. But what does the absence/presence of a certain set of gonads get you?