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October 17, 2002
More News On Augusta: Martha
More News On Augusta: Martha Burk, head of the NCWO, and leader of the attempt to get Augusta National to admit women as members, has announced that she is going to start pressuring PGA Tour sponsors in order to pressure the folks at Augusta: The group spearheading the drive to get women admitted at Augusta National Golf Club may soon begin targeting sponsors of PGA Tour events to put more pressure on club leaders. Martha Burk, chairwoman of the National Council of Women's Organizations, said the move would be one of several if there is no progress soon in getting women into the exclusive, 300-member club. The issue prompted Augusta National to drop its television sponsors -- Citigroup, IBM and Coca-Cola -- for the 2003 Masters in an attempt to shield the club from further controversy. Without sponsors, CBS' Masters coverage will be the only commercial-free telecast in sports. Now Burk wants to take it a step further, pressuring sponsors of other tournaments. "I expect to be having a conversation with PGA Tour sponsors," she said. Burk also raised the possibility that protesters would greet players outside the gates of Augusta National next April if women are not on the membership rolls by then. I'm wondering how and why this might be a problem for the PGA Tour. They have no official connection with Augusta and the Masters, other than counting money won there toward the totals they list for every player. And with Augusta severing ties with any and all sponsors of the event, it would seem that Burk has little leverage. Meanwhile, Tiger Woods continues to attempt to split the difference between Burk and Augusta Chairman Hootie Johnson when it comes to his position on women at Augusta: Without taking sides or offering to be the mediator, Tiger Woods said the best way to resolve the membership debate at Augusta National is to hash it out in private. "There's no substitute for looking someone in the eye," he said Wednesday. Somehow, I think I'll have to take a pass when it comes to applying to the Tiger Woods School for Conflict Resolution. And, predictably, Tiger's statements aren't nearly enough as far as Burk is concerned: Woods said he would like to see a female member at Augusta, but that private clubs have a right to set their own policies. "Hootie is right, and Martha is right. That's the problem," Woods said after a practice round for the Disney World Golf Classic. "They're both right, but they're going about it the wrong way. If they both sat down and talked about it, it would be resolved a lot better than what's going on right now." Burk said she was pleased Woods repeated the need for Augusta National to admit a female member but disappointed his position was not stronger. "I'd like to know what about sex discrimination he thinks is right," Burk said. "He seems to want to apologize out of the situation by saying he's going to be criticized no matter what he does. I can't conceive of an individual criticizing Tiger for speaking out against discrimination. "If others had taken that view, he'd be a caddie at Augusta. He wouldn't be a player." Burk said she offered to meet with Johnson at his convenience, in person or over the phone, and was accused by the Augusta chairman of trying to arrange secret meetings. "Perhaps Tiger can convince Hootie that his approach is a little militant," Burk said.
Eric
12:55 PM
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