John Corn
11-20-02, 02:43 PM
http://www.timesdispatch.com/sports/MGB8AON8P8D.html
(Although it could be found in any daily paper, really)
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Nov 19, 2002
NEW YORK - The New York Times suggested in an editorial yesterday that Tiger Woods skip the Masters next year because of the all-male membership at Augusta National Golf Club.
"A tournament without Mr. Woods would send a powerful message that discrimination isn't good for the golfing business," the editorial said.
Augusta National declined comment.
In interviews this month, Augusta National chairman Hootie Johnson was adamant that a woman would not be among the 300 members at Augusta by the start of the Masters in April.
Johnson's comments were the first on the subject since he criticized Martha Burk and the National Council of Women's Organizations for trying to coerce change at the golf course.
The Times said that if Augusta National "can brazenly discriminate against women, that means others can choose not to support Mr. Johnson's golfing fraternity. That includes more enlightened members of the club, CBS Sports, which televises the Masters, and the players, especially Tiger Woods."
The editorial said Sanford I. Weill, the chief executive of Citigroup, and Kenneth Chenault, chairman of American Express, should "lead the way" for other prominent members and resign from the club.
Weill and Chenault have said Augusta National should admit female members. A spokeswoman for American Express refused comment, and a telephone message left for Weill at Citigroup was not returned.
Comments?
Personally, I find it a little awkward that the Times would suggest Woods _skip_ the most prestigious golf tournament there is (arguably; I guess the U.S. and British Opens have their constituencies, too) on account of an issue Woods has been fairly reticent to make a firm stand on in the first place. Were Nicklaus and Palmer urged to skip the Master's during the civil rights movement?
(Although it could be found in any daily paper, really)
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Nov 19, 2002
NEW YORK - The New York Times suggested in an editorial yesterday that Tiger Woods skip the Masters next year because of the all-male membership at Augusta National Golf Club.
"A tournament without Mr. Woods would send a powerful message that discrimination isn't good for the golfing business," the editorial said.
Augusta National declined comment.
In interviews this month, Augusta National chairman Hootie Johnson was adamant that a woman would not be among the 300 members at Augusta by the start of the Masters in April.
Johnson's comments were the first on the subject since he criticized Martha Burk and the National Council of Women's Organizations for trying to coerce change at the golf course.
The Times said that if Augusta National "can brazenly discriminate against women, that means others can choose not to support Mr. Johnson's golfing fraternity. That includes more enlightened members of the club, CBS Sports, which televises the Masters, and the players, especially Tiger Woods."
The editorial said Sanford I. Weill, the chief executive of Citigroup, and Kenneth Chenault, chairman of American Express, should "lead the way" for other prominent members and resign from the club.
Weill and Chenault have said Augusta National should admit female members. A spokeswoman for American Express refused comment, and a telephone message left for Weill at Citigroup was not returned.
Comments?
Personally, I find it a little awkward that the Times would suggest Woods _skip_ the most prestigious golf tournament there is (arguably; I guess the U.S. and British Opens have their constituencies, too) on account of an issue Woods has been fairly reticent to make a firm stand on in the first place. Were Nicklaus and Palmer urged to skip the Master's during the civil rights movement?