Merlyn_LeRoy 72 Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 Somewhat on-topic, as their male-only membership has sometimes come up in this forum: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/21/sports/golf/augusta-national-golf-club-to-add-first-two-female-members.html [Condoleezza Rice and Darla D. Moore (local businesswoman)] What seems to have been the impetus for this was when the CEO of IBM, Virginia M. Rometty, one of the sponsors of the Masters tournament, was not admitted, even though that has been the tradition. So maybe the BSA will change when there's a gay or atheist president of the US. Link to post Share on other sites
Tampa Turtle 1011 Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 Ah man, now I have to quit! Link to post Share on other sites
Papadaddy 121 Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 Being a private club, they can do what they want... Link to post Share on other sites
eagle90 125 Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 I wonder what would have happened if Mrs. Den Mother and Mrs. Scoutmaster applied, instead of a former Secretary of State and a well known , big bucks financier? Link to post Share on other sites
fred8033 1593 Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 Dang. Yet another trolling post to ignore. Merlyn - Don't you have anything else in your life to do? Link to post Share on other sites
packsaddle 753 Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 LOL, pot accusing kettle Link to post Share on other sites
howarthe 42 Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 The first gay president of the United States was elected in 1856. Link to post Share on other sites
Merlyn_LeRoy 72 Posted August 20, 2012 Author Share Posted August 20, 2012 Probably true, but the BSA didn't exist then. Link to post Share on other sites
vol_scouter 365 Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 Unlike most private country clubs, Augusta National does not have applications. They invite only who they wish. In fact, the legend is that if one tries to apply, it nearly guarantees that they will not be elected to membership. Glad to see that the club changed on its' own terms. When the topic first became an issue, the Masters went on TV without sponsors. When asked how long that they could continue, the answer was at least ten years. So it is unlikely that IBM had anything to do with the decision as far as sponsorship. Like the BSA, they have the right to select their membership. Link to post Share on other sites
JoeBob 606 Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 Billy Payne said that Augusta National wouldn't 'change at the point of a bayonet.' So once the bayonet was withdrawn, and most of the world forgot who Martha Burke was, Augusta National admitted two fine citizens who just happened to be female. Would you not just love to play nine holes with Condi! Link to post Share on other sites
Oak Tree 15 Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 it is unlikely that IBM had anything to do with the decision as far as sponsorship. It may be that the $$ weren't the issue, but the negative publicity of the whole thing wasn't helpful. I can imagine the leaders getting together and saying "Do we want this to be the story every year?" and also "Do we really want to exclude the CEO of our biggest sponsor?" Just too much negative publicity, and not a lot of reason to stick with the policy. Same thing that will eventually get the BSA to change. I think this is a fine on-topic post from Merlyn. Link to post Share on other sites
BSA24 10 Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 Maybe they admitted them because members wanted them allowed so they could golf with them. It could be that simple. I wouldn't mind spending a day picking the brain of someone like Condi Rice. The idea that she would not be admitted to something that would accept the likes of me, well, that's hilarious. No, Augusta National would not accept the likes of me. It was just an expression. Link to post Share on other sites
packsaddle 753 Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 "Would you not just love to play nine holes with Condi!" JoeBob, I'll have to just take your photo with her. It is a gross understatement - that I suck at golf. Link to post Share on other sites
Trevorum 24 Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 This thread had me go read about our 15th POTUS, James Buchannan. Did not know much about him (he is rather eclipsed by Lincoln). Fascinating. Link to post Share on other sites
acco40 95 Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 Papadaddy - I have the legal right to wear my underwear on my head, that doesn't make it right. No one is arguing that Augusta or the BSA do not have the legal right to set there own membership qualifications. What I feel is worthy of discussion is how does one react to such an institution? Augusta admitted if first black member in 1990 - after some businesses pulled advertising dollars from another "white only" golf club hosted the PGA championship. So, what type of decision does Tiger Woods have to play there? I for one, don't think that by playing in the Masters in 1995 he was endorsing that type of exclusionary practice. Similarly, by becoming a member of the BSA shouldn't be seen as endorsing the current BSA exclusionary policies. Link to post Share on other sites
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