Why I'm Teed Off: The chairman of the Augusta National Golf Club defends an all-male club

Wall ST Journal ^ | November 12, 2002 | HOOTIE JOHNSON

[SJackson]

In recent months a group called the National Council of Women's Organizations, led by their spokeswoman Martha Burk, has been threatening Augusta National Golf Club and anyone even remotely associated with us for allegedly discriminating against women.

As the chairman of that club, I'd like to share some of my thoughts with you about the debate that has now spent several months meandering through the national press. Ms. Burk has misrepresented the issue.

[RikaStrom]

A national survey that will be released tomorrow reveals that over 70% of Americans -- men and women -- support the club's right to make its own membership decisions. That is what we intend to do.

Good, I hope they stick to their guns. It's a private club and they can dang well do as they want with their membership.

[retiredtexan]

Brovo Mr.Johnson

[retiredtexan]

Bravo

[17th Miss Regt]

I wonder what the party affiliation of the other 30% is. Anyone care to take a guess?

[RikaStrom]

LOL, I wouldn't dare... profiling, dontcha know. lol

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Hootie Bump!

[mommybain]

Why would anyone want to belong to a club that doesn't want him/her?? </rhetoric>

[fuquadukie]

Zing. Hey, Martha, "Want some ice for that?"

As one who has had the honor of visiting Augusta during The Masters, all I can say is... Way to go, Hootie. Augusta National is a class act. Too bad others don't stand up more often to the liberal thugs of our society.

I have attended six different Practice Rounds, including three Wednesday Rounds. Augusta National now uses a lottery system for Practice Round tickets. I hit in 1997 (Tiger's first) for 12 tickets -- 4 each day. (You wouldn't believe how many friends I suddenly had. Hehehe!)

No matter what each year, I plant myself in front of the TV here up North and watch The Masters from start to finish.

If I never get to go back, that's OK. I've been there.

[BuddhaBoy]

Right on, Hootie!

[Sacajaweau]

Women are just little trouble makers sometimes. Find your own club. These men have worked for years to make it what it is and you will never be the golfers that they are. We don't care if women play, just play in your own yard.

[Zebra]

A common sense bttt

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

GO HOOTIE!!!!!!

[ToryNotion]

It's a private club ...

Amen to that. It's sad that in the social democratic world in which we live, so many have forgotten that one of the chief purposes of government is to secure individuals property rights and that implicit in property rights is the right to exclude.

[mommybain]

I think it's more than just women...why would a black person want to join a private club that excludes him from membership? Why would a Jewish person want to join a private club that excludes her? I personally would rather hang out with folks who want me around . And since said clubs are private why on earth can't they do whatever the heck they want??? (which is the point of the article in the first place)

[ricpic]

Dem broads is everywhere! No place left to hide! Gotta get out, get out, GET OUT!

[Doctor Freeze]

Go Hootie Go!!

I think Martha Burk needs to go find a hobby (or a better cause). There are hills to die on... this is not one of them Martha.

[The Other Harry]

If only Trent Lott has these sort of cajones.

[Bikers4Bush]

Now all we have to do is hope that Burk finally shuts her cakehole on the subject.