America's All-Male Golfing Society [New York Times Editorial Alert]

The New York Times ^ | 11/18/2002

[GeneD]

William (Hootie) Johnson, the chairman of the Augusta National Golf Club, has become the poster boy for a particularly regressive branch of the golfing set. As he announced somewhat testily last week, his famous all-male country club has no plans to add women members — not anytime soon and certainly not in time for the Masters tournament in April. Augusta National is a private club, Mr. Johnson explained, and thus his members have a "constitutional right to choose" who can be excluded from its expensive inner sanctum.

The constitutional right to choose is real, but it is not limited to Mr. Johnson and his all-male choir. If the club that runs the Masters can brazenly discriminate against women, that means others can choose not to support Mr. Johnson's golfing fraternity. That includes more enlightened members of the club, CBS Sports, which televises the Masters, and the players, especially Tiger Woods.

Some club members, like Sanford Weill of Citigroup and Kenneth Chenault at American Express, have called for an end to the gender discrimination. A lot of good that did back in Augusta however. The club reaffirmed its all-male code.

Augusta National is the host of America's toniest golf tournament, one that brings about $20 million to the club from the public and untold profits for CBS Sports. But that Masters magic is based on discrimination that Citigroup, American Express, CBS and other modern corporations vowed to eradicate decades ago. Mr. Weill and Mr. Chenault should lead the way by resigning from the club and encouraging other C.E.O.'s to do the same. CBS Sports, which seems to think this issue is no big deal, needs to think again.

Tiger Woods, who has won the Masters three times, could simply choose to stay home in April. The absence of golf's best player would put a dreaded asterisk by the name of next year's winner. And a tournament without Mr. Woods would send a powerful message that discrimination isn't good for the golfing business. Of course, if Mr. Woods took that view, the club might suddenly find room for a few female members. Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, for example, is said to be a very good golfer.

[UncleWes]

The only right that liberals detest more than the right to bear arms is freedom of association.

[Phantom Lord]

The chances of Tiger boycotting the Masters is about as likely as me qualifying for it.

[apackof2]

As a woman I say, "BULLY FOR HIM!"

[Governor]

"The constitutional right to choose is real, but it is not limited to Mr. Johnson and his all-male choir."
If the Feminazi are so upset by this, they can pony up the money to build and fund their own course. Men are habitually rejected by women's spa's, health clubs and even some exercise programs.
Sometimes men just want the ability to be themselves without having to apologise for every action to a woman who never forgets anything.

[dirtboy]

The only right that liberals detest more than the right to bear arms is freedom of association.

Hey, at least the Times is calling for private action against Augusta National, not government intervention. The right of association also includes the right NOT to associate with someone in a business relationship because you disagree with their policies.

[Texas_Jarhead]

I guess the NYT didn't catch wind lassat week of the failed lawsuit by the guy who wanted join the women only gym.

[jpl]

The New York Times (like most liberals) can't get it through their thick skulls that Tiger Woods just isn't interested in their petty little political squabbles. He just wants to play golf, period.

[Balata]

But that Masters magic is based on discrimination that Citigroup, American Express, CBS and other modern corporations vowed to eradicate decades ago.

False. When did these companies vow to eradicate freedom of association.

[dead]

Mr. Weill and Mr. Chenault should lead the way by resigning from the club and encouraging other C.E.O.'s to do the same.

Oh horrors! Sandy and Kenny can’t quit! I’m sure the other members will be too distraught by their absense to ever golf again.

CBS Sports, which seems to think this issue is no big deal, needs to think again.

"This completely manufactured non-story that nobody gives a crap about is actually extremely important."

Thus spaketh the New York Times, dark uber-lord keeper of newsworthiness rankings.

[WaveThatFlag]

I DEMAND the Lucille Roberts begin accepting male members immediately.

[centexan]

...that means others can choose not to support Mr. Johnson's golfing fraternity. That includes more enlightened members of the club, CBS Sports, which televises the Masters

Does this mean that the NY Times will take the lead and not cover the Masters next year? Somehow I doubt it.

[1Old Pro]

The one good thing about this nonsense is that Augusta WILL NOT cave in as the countless others have.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

To demonstrate the hypocrisy, have a look at the article, which I've "ever so slightly" re-edited.

Hillary Clinton has become the poster girl for a particularly regressive branch of the college set. As she announced somewhat testily last week, Wellesley, her famous all-female college, has no plans to admit men - not anytime soon and certainly not in time for the 2004 elections.

Wellesley is a private college, Ms. Clinton explained, and has a "constitutional right to choose" who can be excluded from its expensive inner sanctum.

The constitutional right to choose is real, but it is not limited to Ms. Clinton and her all-female choir. If the club that runs Wellesely can brazenly discriminate against men, that means others can choose not to support Ms. Clinton's college. That includes more enlightened members of the college, its alumni, various foundations and branches of government.

Wellesley is one of America's toniest colleges, one that brings in hundreds of millions of dollars a year. But that magic is based on discrimination that modern corporations vowed to eradicate decades ago. Corporations and foundations that support Wellesley need to think again.

Hillary Clinton, perhaps Wellesley's most famous alum, could simply choose to disavow her college and its policy of discrimination. The disapproval of its most famous alum would put a dreaded asterisk by the name of future graduates. It would send a powerful message that discrimination isn't good for the college business.

Of course, if Ms. Clinton took that view, the college might suddenly find room for a few male students. President Bush's nephew is said to be a very good pupil.

[BikerNYC]

The one good thing about this nonsense is that Augusta WILL NOT cave in as the countless others have.

Yes they will. It just can't be now, so that it appears they are responding to pressure. I think you'll see it in about 2-3 years.

[ewing]

I wonder what the New York Times thinks about the exclusive all- female golf club in Toronto?

[Paul Atreides]

If Bubba was a member, this wouldn't even be an issue.

[Lost Highway]

Really? What club is this?

[martin gibson]

Our dykee feminist sisters will try to ruin the upcoming Master's for participants and spectators.

Look for all kinds of disruptions from the 'hairy/puppetry/goddess ceremony/abortion enthusiast' crowd with lot's of encouragement from the NYT girly men.

A rat is a dog is a pig is a feminist (...with profound apologies to rats, dogs and pigs).

[1Old Pro]

Yes they will. It just can't be now, so that it appears they are responding to pressure. I think you'll see it in about 2-3 years.

They are saying now and have said that they aren't ruling out women members and they will probably have them, on their timeline. So I don't see that as a cave in. A cave in would be to do it in the next few months or even during 2003.