Sara brought up a very important overarching issue to my post last week on men-only country golf clubs:

I think that it’s almost a bigger issue than just discrimination at the club. It’s about where and what social circumstances business takes place. What if you don’t play golf? Don’t drink? Don’t go to clubs? As a businesswoman you’re probably missing out on many conversations outside this sexist club just because of your hobbies.

Thanks Sara for making my point! What happens on the golf course is usually far more than just socializing. It is business. It happens on the green, at the bar (another point of contention at the Phoenix Golf Club), in a million different places than just the conference room.

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In 2002 a woman named Martha Burk burst into our living rooms and challenged everyone to decide if private country/golf clubs that exclude women were discriminatory. Many responded with a quick no. They are private! was the largest chorus in the responses. Of course, our 15-second media didn’t allow for much discussion of why Burk thought that these clubs were discriminatory.

For her stance, Burk was harassed and threatened - The FBI were called out to ensure her safety when she protested outside the Augusta National Golf Club for not allowing women to be members during the 2003 Masters. Her suggestion that Tiger Woods should be taking a stand upset a lot of golf fans on top of criticizing one of golf’s most revered tournaments. I fielded a press call as a board member of a local NOW chapter with this quote:

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