Forgive me, but I enjoy watching The Masters.
When most people think of watching a program as a guilty pleasure, they think American Idol or Dancing with the Stars. For me, it’s The Masters. I’m sure not too many people are ashamed to say they enjoy the tournament, and saying that I am ashamed won’t make me very popular in the golf community. But not admitting it would be like hearing a racist or sexist joke among a group and politely smiling instead of speaking up.
I don’t know of another tournament that could make a male player publicly cry when they lose (like Brandt Snedeker did yesterday). It’s an important event – perhaps the most important in the history of golf. There is glory in its tradition. But in this modern world in which women are allowed to vote and everything, does there come a time when glory becomes glorification? When will sexist traditions become part of that “rich history” along with the racist ones and not present policy? Changing the way things are done doesn’t discount existing history, it only enriches future history books.
I respectfully disagree with anyone who thinks discriminatory practices should continue in order to “preserve the honor and tradition” of the course and/or the event. In my opinion, entry to the tournament should be earned based on merit. Entry to the club should still be at the discretion of the members. And though there may not be many (if any) women who meet those qualifications today, they should not be summarily disallowed as a group.
In my latest post at Swing Thoughts on Golf For Women, I discuss my feelings on this further, with particular focus on Augusta National’s policies.
Please feel free to leave your comments. I may or may not respond.
April 14, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Kristen – that’s not blaspemous. It IS, however, biased, a little ignorant, and sexist on your part. Women believe that it is their right to have women only health clubs, women only social clubs, and any other “women only” group they see fit – INCLUDING the LPGA. (The PGA Tour charter does not exclude women – in fact, it is completely gender non-specific. It is for the best players in the world)
But if MEN choose to have a club for men only – they are evil and should be cast out of society.
“That Woman” who’s name will not be spoken – did not “protest”, such as it was – she bussed in women from Atlanta and paid many of them for the purpose of numbers in front of a camera.
Fact – many of the organizations that her “non-profit” organization (that has made her wealthy) are gender exclusive. A bit on the hypocritical side – wouldn’t you say ?
Augusta is a club with male members only – they simply choose not to have women as members. They do not exclude women from being on the course and they do not exclude women from the clubhouse – only from membership. Brandt Snedeker even commented that during one of his practice rounds, he was playing behind six groups of women.
This is a club of some 300 members. (exact number is not known) It is their club. The tournament is private – not run by The PGA Tour – it is an invitational tournament. The Masters would continue if there were no TV cameras, or even patrons on the grounds – and the players would still show up – BECAUSE IT IS THE MASTERS.
Until you clean up your own house – don’t tell others to clean up theirs. No one begrudges women their clubs. Why ? Because women need places where they can be with JUST other women. Guess what – men need the same thing. Get off your high horse and stop being such a sexist.
April 14, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Oh – forgot to mention – The Masters does not exclude women from playing the tournament – the qualifications are not related to gender, but to performance – when a woman qualifies, she will be in the field…but I wouldn’t hold my breath on a woman qualifying anytime real soon.
And it is the LPGA that is gender exclusive in its charter. check it out.
April 15, 2008 at 12:33 am
Dude – I knew I could count on you to comment on this issue while only reading and citing the parts that suit your argument. You’re always such a brave man – at least behind the screen. And I bet you didn’t even read what I wrote at GFW. You’d be fun to argue with in person. But not here – no matter how much you try to provoke me by calling me names.
April 15, 2008 at 4:07 am
Actually, Kristen, dearest ;-), I DID read what you wrote on GFW, and I have seen that rhetorical trick too many times to be fooled by it here.
Your start off by saying that private orgainzations have the right to choose their membership – THEN – you finish by trying to invoke some sort of moral imperitive, hoping that some selfserving “greater good” is obeyed – while, at the same time, excusing the hypocrisy inherent in the original argument.
Nice try on the name calling, too – I have never called you any sort of name – adjectives were addressed to your articles.
NEXT !
April 15, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Talking about the Masters: Did anyone see Ian Poulter’s hole in one? Awesome stuff.
April 16, 2008 at 6:13 am
You know what I would like to see? I would like to see the U.S. Women’s Open at Augusta National. St. Andrews opened it’s doors to the Women’s British Open last year, and it’s time for Augusta to do the same for the ladies.
April 18, 2008 at 1:26 pm
St Andrews is a public golf course and is open 6 days a week all year. (the Old Course is closed on Sundays and is used as a public park of sorts for the townspeople to walk and enjoy – except for golfing)
Augusta National is a private course that is closed from the end of May to October. They are not going to open the course in the middle of an Augusta summer and put the course in tournament condition. Conditions by the way, which are unlike anything they would see on Tour all year – especially on the greens)
How would you like it if I came to your house and said “it’s about time you left your keys in your car for me to drive” ? I’m guessing you would say “get off my porch or I’ll call the police.”
April 18, 2008 at 4:54 pm
^^^ Did I say anything about forcing Augusta to host an LPGA event? No. I said it’s time for them to do it.
And even if I had, your analogy is inapposite.
A correct analogy involving automobile transportation would have been…
“How would you like it if I tried to reserve a limousine from your company for a star-studded gala? I’m guessing you would say ‘We don’t accept male customers.'”
…which is, of course, absurd.
Now, if you owned Augusta and didn’t let anyone else play it because it was for your sole personal use, then your analogy would be properly formed.
But, of course, that is also absurd.