|
Masters of their own domain
By Adam Czech
 Media Credit: erik campos/krt campus Golfers such as Tiger Woods are facing pressure from a feminist organization to admit females to Augusta National Golf Club. Woods has taken the stance that the club has the right to admit whoever they choose
|
|
Uh-oh, here we go. Feminists are now making their way into the world of sports.
Martha Burk, chair of the National Council of Women's Organizations (NCWO), recently began a campaign against Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, host of golf's most storied tournament, the Masters, to admit a woman into its traditionally all male membership. A firestorm erupted.
Hootie Johnson, Chairman of Augusta National, ripped Burk in a three-page reply to the media in late June, saying that Augusta National will not be "bullied" into doing anything.
Burk then threatened to go after Coca-Cola, IBM and Citigroup, sponsors of the Masters, to drop their sponsorship of the tournament. Johnson and Augusta dropped all three sponsors before they had an opportunity to respond, claiming he did not want them to receive negative publicity over the issue.
Later in the summer, it came out that Augusta was in fact considering admitting a woman member, but they changed their minds after Burk opened her mouth.
When one listens to Burk, it becomes apparent that she has one thing and one thing only on her mind: getting her face on television and her name in the paper. The advancement of women is a distant second on her list of objectives.
Burk understands the prestige and tradition involved with the Masters and Augusta National about as well as John Rocker understands race relations.
"The Masters, in my mind, is not tied to the hip of this club," she said in a recent interview. "An event of this profile could be held somewhere else."
Ms. Burk, suggesting that the Masters could be held anywhere besides Augusta is like saying it would be OK if the President moved from the White House to Shoemaker Hall or that the St. Cloud Superman should deliver presents every Christmas morning instead of Santa Claus. It just wouldn't be right and it won't happen.
Burk's argument would at least be worth listening to if it wasn't so obvious that she has no clue what she's talking about, and is simply looking for some notoriety. A little idea of how Augusta officials operate wouldn't hurt either. If you tell the people at Augusta to sit, they'll stand. Tell them to run, they'll walk. Pressure them to admit women, they won't; even though they may have been strongly considering it.
What good would getting women admitted to Augusta do, anyway? Nothing, besides get Burk and her organization more free publicity.
Women are already allowed to play the course at Augusta. The only thing they're missing out on is becoming members. What does being a member entail? Mostly men sitting around, drinking beer and smoking cigars, discussing such topics as football, cars, hot chicks and wives or girlfriends.
I bet you're really jealous, right ladies?
Sometimes men just need to get away. Every now and then we need a sanctuary where we can feel free to do and say things we otherwise wouldn't while in the company of the opposite sex. And believe me, if granted admittance to one of these exclusive places, a woman wouldn't be able to flee the place fast enough.
So, ladies, next time you see someone like Ms. Burk claiming to be looking out for you and your rights, take a closer look. In all likelihood they're just looking for attention.
|
|
|
|
|
|
