Is it Time for Augusta National Golf Club to Allow Women as Members?

While Northwest golfers are waiting for local golf courses to dry out, the PGA Masters starts this week at Augusta National Golf Club. That is a male-only club. Women can still play the golf course when accompanied by a male member.  Is it time for the male only private club to allow women members? In 1990, the first African-American male was accepted into the club.

In 2002, the issue of allowing female members came to a forefront with the backlash being felt when sponsors pulling out of the 2003 and 2004 Masters. Those years, the Masters was televised and commercial-free. What has brought this debate up again is IBM, a corporate sponsor and whose last four chief executives have been members is now faced with IBM having a new female Chief Executive in Virginia Rometty. Will she be given the same privileges as her fellow Chief Executives that came before her were given?

I don't have a problem with Augusta National staying a "good old boys club," and excluding women. They are a private club and can do what they want. What I do have a problem with is most members annual $10,000 dues are tax write-offs as part of doing business. This is a place they take clients to impress them and negotiate business deals.

The other problem I have is with the PGA. Of the four major PGA tournaments played in golf this is the only one played at the same course every year. With the money being made off the Masters, it keeps members annual dues low.

I know the Masters has always been played at Augusta and it is a tradition but so is the tradition of excluding women. Traditions are made to be broken and if they want to continue excluding women, then I am sure their are other golf courses that would jump at the chance to hold a Masters tournament. I know many golf courses are not designed for such a tournament. Given the opportunity to host the Masters most courses would make improvements and upgrades just to have that chance.

The only way Augusta National will ever allow women is if they are hit where it hurts the most -- the pocket book. If the PGA pulled the tournament and the IRS checked tax returns of their members, then things might change. As a women my feelings are they can stay a "good old boys club" but just not with the backing of the PGA.