EDWARD S. WANAMBWA
Blog: September 2012
Times are Changing on Magnolia Lane
Edward. S. Wanambwa
Senior Editor
African American Golfers Digest
After 80 years, times have changed at Augusta National Golf Club. Former United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Corporate Financier Darla Moore became the first female members at one of the most exclusive and prestigious all male clubs in the world. On August 20, 2012, Chairman Billy Payne extended an invitation for membership to both Rice and Moore marking a remarkable shift in the policies and image of Augusta National Golf Club.
10 Years ago women’s rights activist Martha Burk demanded that Augusta National admit it’s first female member and was met with a a swift and stern rebuttal by then Chairman Hootie Johnson. Her demand for a female membership led to a boycott of the club and the Masters tournament. This led to the tournament being televised for two years without corporate sponsorship. However, after Burks short and largely ineffective protest it has been business as usual at Augusta National Golf Club. For the past ten years the mention of women at Augusta National has been limited to nothing more that of faint murmurs among the media.
In 2012, IBM named Ginni Rometty it’s first female CEO. This was a significant event because Augusta National Golf Club has customarily extended membership to the CEO of IBM. During the 2012 Chairmans’ press conference Billy Payne fielded question after question concerning Rometty’s invitation to become a member. However, in traditional Augusta National fashion Johnson dismissed all questions and reminded the media that membership policies are private and are the business of the club. However, due to the position and the fact that IBM is a title sponsor of the Masters tournament, this issue was not going to go away.
By extended membership invitations to two very accomplished and respected women Augusta National has skillfully put the issue of women members to rest. It’s very ironic that Ginni Rometty was not invited to be a member along with Condoleezza Rice and Darla Moore. In my opinion, this was intentionally done so that Augusta National Golf Club could avoid looking like they caved into outside pressure to admit a female member. Now that the club has two female members the timeframe for Rometty’s invitation for membership is right back in the hands of the club.
Another interesting side note concerning this move by Augusta National, is that the R&A (Royal and Ancient) Golf Club in Scotland,an all male club that governs the game of golf in Europe is now being scrutinized concerning their policy toward female members.
Regardless of the motivation behind Augusta Nationals Golf Clubs decision to admit it’s first female members, it is great day for the game of golf and this decision has far reaching Implications in the golf world. Just as much as that things are changing in Augusta things are still the same. It’s will be good to see a few green jackets this year in female sizes.
Let me know your thoughts on this. Find me at www.EdWanambwa.com or friend me on Facebook.
Edward S. Wanambwa
