THE SIGNIFICANCE OF AUGUSTA NATIONAL'S NEW MEMBERSHIP POLICY

By mustang6560 on 8/22/12

As I stated earlier, I've read numerous opinions about Augusta National since the news broke about its 21st Century membership policy in an effort to formulate my own opinion about the significance or the symbolism of inviting two female members to golf's formerly most prominent all-male golf club.

I've fit two of the long standing demographics of Augusta National's membership policy my entire life - I'm male and I'm white. But, I don't fit the most important demographic — I'm not one of the most influential businessmen — and now businesspeople — in the world, therefore, unless I cure cancer or magically win The Masters, I'll never be invited to be a member. I do agree with the sentiment that adding Condeleezza Rice and Darla Moore sends the right message to young female golfers, however, it doesn't change the nature of Augusta National — it's still a golf club for the one percent of the One Percenters.

It's rumored that there are 300 members at http://clubsg.skygolf.com/courses/course/4148/Augusta_National_Golf_Club.html">Augusta National. If you compare that to the population of the United States, which is 300 million and counting, one in every one million people is a proud owner of a green jacket. And if you compare the number of members at Augusta National to the world's population, well, you get the idea.

So, Condeleezza Rice and Darla Moore, both purported lovers of the game of golf, will receive their green jackets in October when the club opens again. But, what does that really mean? Sure, it's very symbolic for the future of the game, however, at the end of the day, the 99 Percenters — you and me — will still never be able to step foot on the sacred grounds of Augusta National to watch the golf's elite play in a major championship on one of golf's most beautiful venues, or be able to walk in the footsteps of golf's greatest players for 18 holes.

If Augusta National really wants to make an impact on the game of golf for golf's actual fans — I guarantee you I'd kick Condeleezza's and Darla's you know what in a golf trivia game — then they should open up Augusta National to the fans of the game. Let us 99 Percenters stroll the fairways for a once and a lifetime round of golf. If you can pay your way to Scotland, then you can play a round of golf at St. Andrews. The same is true for Torrey Pines and Pebble Beach. But, unless you know a member or are a professional golfer, good luck playing a round of golf at Augusta National. The least the folks at Augusta National could do is open the viewing up even more so the four days a year we're allowed to see Augusta National, we can watch for more than just a few hours and only on certain holes.

As a fan of golf, I hope one day I'm able to visit Augusta National as a patron, and even more so, I hope one day one of the one percent of the One Percenters invites me to play a round of golf there. But, I won't hold my breath because even though Condeleezza Rice and Darla Moore are the newest members of the most exclusive golf club in the world, it doesn't improve my chances any.


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