Augusta National Adds Condoleezza Rice, Darla Moore As First Two Female Members

[kpete]

Source: Huffington Post

Augusta National Adds Condoleezza Rice, Darla Moore As First Two Female Members

NEW YORK -- For the first time in its 80-year history, Augusta National Golf Club has female members.

The home of the Masters, under increasing criticism the last decade because of its all-male membership, invited former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and South Carolina financier Darla Moore to become the first women in green jackets when the club opens for a new season in October.

Both women accepted.

"This is a joyous occasion," Augusta National chairman Billy Payne said Monday.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/20/augusta-national-condoleezza-rice-darla-moore-women_n_1811211.html

[Panasonic]

1. Ah.

The Republicans inviting the Republicans.

How appropriate..

Let us know when they invite a middle-class black woman to join the Augusta National.

[goclark]

2. Good point!

Maybe Mrs. Obama with an Honorary Membership.

[AngryAmish]

4. Bill Gates and Warren Buffet are Republicans?

didn't know...

[Javaman]

12. My thought as well.

god forbid they actually invite champion female golfers.

I know, I'm asking too much.

[joeglow3]

14. They have no champion male golfers that I am aware of

[Javaman]

19. Even more of a reason. nt

[Solly Mack]

3. Yes. It's always a joyous day when you brag about inviting a war criminal to join your club.

I'm looking forward to waterboard your caddy day, followed by a lunch of "mushrom cloud" soup and "no one could have anticipated" sandwiches.

What fun!

[PFunk]

5. Call me snarky here but I think they were pushed to do this.

After the 'crap' at last year's masters (which gave a black eye to the sport) numerous golf higher ups secretly "told" Augusta to either they change there police OR the masters may move someplace else.

just saying

[AngryAmish]

8. This is total crap

Who owns the Masters? Augusta National

It is an event of the club. It counts for PGA of America season points and the WGA ranking but the club runs it. It has a handshake deal with CBS, renewable every year. There are no higher ups to answer to. It went for two years without sponsors.

I think they did this just to get people off of their backs. Women play the course all the time. It won't change the atmosphere.

[Lochloosa]

11. Not buying it. No one "tells" the Augusta National what to do.

[naaman fletcher]

6. reminds me of an archie bunker episode

The Kings of Queens are being pressured to take in minorities, so they choose Solomon Johnson who is both black and jewish.

No doubt the Condi selection was made with a similar thought process

[Lint Head]

7. Wonder if they will allow any family members of the innocent Iraqis Condi murdered.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

9. What about the CEO of IBM?

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-28/golf-s-masters-facing-male-only-dilemma-with-new-ibm-ceo.html
Golf’s Masters Facing Male-Only Dilemma With New IBM CEO

By Beth Jinks and Michael Buteau - Mar 28, 2012 12:11 AM ET

Will International Business Machines Corp. (IBM)’s Ginni Rometty be able to wear a green jacket at the Masters Tournament?

As Augusta National Golf Club prepares to host the competition next week, it faces a quandary: The club hasn’t admitted a woman as a member since its founding eight decades ago, yet it has historically invited the chief executive officer of IBM, one of three Masters sponsors. Since the company named Rometty to the post this year, Augusta will have to break tradition either way.

[erpowers]

17. That Was My Question

Have they asked her? If they have not will they ask her?

[niyad]

10. apart from the twofer in condi, couldn't they have actually gotten some real women golfers?

[dipsydoodle]

13. Meet 'The Toughest Babe In Business' — The Other Woman Who Was Just Admitted To Augusta

She is also the wife of firm's founder, legendary dealmaker Richard Rainwater, who has been diagnosed with progressive supranculear palsy (PSP)-- a fatal, fast moving, degenerative brain disease. CNBC's "Squawk Box" recently did a tribute show with big name hedge fund and private equity professionals who were influenced by Rainwater.

>

Moore graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1975 with her bachelor's in political science.

She's a prominent benefactor having donated millions to the university. The business school was even renamed in her honor to the Moore School of Business.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/who-is-darla-moore-one-of-the-first-women-to-become-a-member-of-august-2012-8#ixzz246nxXfKv

[The Second Stone]

15. Welcome news and long overdue

another victory.

[HERVEPA]

16. They will be adding Todd Akin to counterbalance this move

[samsingh]

18. rice she who could not read a memo warning of bin laden