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November 30, 2002
It Looks Like. . .
It Looks Like. . . Martha Burk's crusade to integrate Augusta National has hopped the Atlantic Ocean: The National Women's Council of Ireland said it will lead protests to try to force Portmarnock Golf Club to admit female members before the Irish Open in July. Government ministers debated Saturday whether Ireland should support the event, held at one of the country's only two clubs that bar female members. The government gives the tournament about $250,000 for tourism promotion. The government's Equality Authority, which enforces antidiscrimination laws, plans to take the club to court and get "a declaration that the Portmarnock Golf Club is a discriminating club." The dispute echoes the one at Augusta National Golf Club, which does not admit women as members. Augusta National has been threatened with protests but says it has no intention of changing its policies before the Masters in April. Sports Minister John O'Donoghue said he was "completely and utterly opposed" to Portmarnock's membership policy but added, "We are sponsoring an important international competition in Ireland, not the club." Cabinet member Willie O'Dea said the government should not be associated with the club and should have lobbied the PGA European Tour to move the tournament elsewhere. PGA European Tour officials could not be reached for comment Saturday. Something tells me that those same officials will be hiding out for the rest of the weekend. Unlike here in the U.S., it's important to note that the same rights that Americans often take for granted -- such as freedom of association, might not be enshrined as deeply in European political culture. Hence, I think we'll see the folks who run this club to fold right quick.
Eric
02:46 PM
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