COMMENTARY —
For the last few years, the reverential tag line by Jim Nantz on CBS promos for The Masters has been, “A tradition unlike any other.”
That is true, but not always for the right reasons.
Augusta National Golf Club, which is often described as one of the most exclusive clubs in the world, is proud of those traditions. Some are quaint, others are stupid, but since it is a private club, they can do pretty much whatever they darn well please, thank you very much.
Having said that, one of those traditions just fell like a magnolia tree on the club’s famed entrance lane. Augusta National has done what some thought it never would: admit women to its membership.
Did you faint? I almost did.
On Monday, club chairman Billy Payne stunned the golf world by announcing two new members. The fact that they would announce new members at all is unusual enough, but these two made history.
The better known by far is former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the native of Birmingham. Condi Rice is a huge sports fan — she has said many times that her dream job would be commissioner of the NFL. A perfect choice for Augusta’s first woman; I’d personally put her in Butler Cabin presenting the green jacket at the end, but I think we’ve knocked down enough traditions there for one week.
Unless you’re into high finance, you probably never heard of the other selection. Darla Moore is a former executive with Chemical Bank, she now works for the Rainwater investment firm, headed by her billionaire husband Richard. With strong ties to the Republican Party, Moore has given millions to the University of South Carolina for its business school, which it renamed for her. (Ironically, GOP favorite Gov. Nikki Haley dumped Moore off the school’s board of trustees in favor of a donor to her campaign.)
As you may recall, the club was put under pressure back in 2002 by feminist activist Martha Burk, who lobbied then-club chairman “Hootie” Johnson to admit women. Johnson basically told Burk to go back home and wash dishes, saying that the club was private and could admit whomever they pleased.
Of course, Augusta National has never been known as the most socially progressive institution in earth; far from it. Co-founder Clifford Roberts was notoriously racist, stating, “As long as I’m alive, all the golfers will be white and all the caddies will be black.” The first black golfer didn’t play in The Masters until 1975 with Lee Elder, and the club required PGA pros to use Augusta’s staff caddies — all black, of course — until 1983. The club finally admitted an African-American for membership in 1990, in large part due to Hall Thompson’s famous stand here in Birmingham at Shoal Creek.
Things move much more slowly at Augusta National than they do elsewhere in the world of golf, and the world in general. In some ways, that’s a good thing. But in matters such as this, it’s not. The club was within its rights to stay as it was, but that didn’t make it right.
Welcome to the 20th Century, Augusta National. I hope you make it to the 21st.
Local Sports
Robert Carter: At long last, Augusta National enters 20th Century
- Local Sports
-
-
The NJN 2013 All-Star Girls Basketball Team: McMillan, by the numbers
Numbers never lie, so the saying goes. And Kasi McMillan’s numbers were the best around these parts — though not by a lot.
-
Erik Harris: Here’s to a beat-up truck and Coach Dad
It was just another 1993 Toyota pickup with two-wheel drive, 113 horsepower, dark blue paint and a dented-in rear bumper. But to Dad and me it was “Ole Blue,” and it was our three-mile transportation from our house to the park.
-
The NJN 2013 All-Star Boys Basketball Team: Little Louis plays big
When Mark Louis took the court this season, he was usually the shortest player out there.
-
Hayden's Caitlin Kirkland named to ASWA Super All-State team, John Simmons is 5A coach of the year
Hayden pitcher Caitlin Kirkland has been awarded three top honors, and head coach John Simmons has been selected as the Class 5A softball coach of the year by the Alabama Sports Writers Association.
-
Fultondale Stampede 5K race set for June 15
Fultondale Stampede 5K race director Sammy Morris is at it again.
-
Regions Field: They built it... but will you come?
In the baseball movie “Field of Dreams,” the character played by Kevin Costner hears a voice saying, “If you build it, he will come.”
-
Football: Glover to coach, three Pinson Valley players on North roster of All-Star teams
Three Pinson Valley seniors-to-be were named to the roster of the north team, and Indians coach Matt Glover will be an assistant for the north team at the AHSAA North-South All-Star Football Game in Montgomery.
-
Hayden wins AHSAA 5A state softball championship
Brooke Meadows' lead-off home run in the first inning held up as the only run of the game, as Hayden defeated Scottsboro 1-0 Saturday to win the AHSAA Class 5A state softball championship.
-
State softball tournament: Hayden advances to championship game with 2-0 win over Scottsboro
All it took was one big hit, and that came off the bat of Katie Parr.
-
State softball tournament: Hayden 3, Saraland 2 (10 innings)
Brooke Meadows hit a lead-off double, then scored the winning run when Meleah Hargett bunted her way on base as Hayden defeated Saraland 3-2 in 10 innings in the quarterfinal round of the AHSAA Class 5A state softball tournament.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
Obama: 'Lives Have Been Saved' by NSA Programs
Obama: Friction in Afghan Talks No Surprise
Unusual Heat Wave Bakes Alaska
Raw: Massive Protests Fill Brazilian Streets
Raw: German President Welcomes President Obama
Fans Cheer Dramatic Heat Comeback
Raw: Arizona Wildfire Scorches 8 Square Miles
Hoffa Mystery Still Fascinates After 4 Decades
Raw: 1 Dead in Shooting at Mo. Apartment Complex
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
3 Charged in Ohio With Enslaving Mom, Daughter
Raw: Volcano Erupts Near Mexico City
Kid Couture: Spending Big Bucks on Babies
Suicide Bombs Target Baghdad Mosque, Killing 29
Military Plans to Put Women in Combat Jobs
Solar Power Chargers in NYC Parks
Civil Rights Groups Sue NYPD Over Muslim Spying
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
