AFTER THE WHISTLE: Augusta allowing women?

Last semester I wrote a column about whether women should be admitted to Augusta National Golf Club and the controversy surrounding the upcoming Masters tournament. I stated that although I stand by Augusta’s right to exclude women from the club, I still however disagree with the decision.

I feel that it is as unfair to exclude women as members as it was to keep African-Americans out of the club, a practice which was not abolished until Augusta accepted their first African-American member in 1990.

I know there are many people out there who believe very strongly that women should not be allowed as members at Augusta National. To those people I ask: How would you explain that to a teenage girl with aspirations of greatness? How would you tell her that she isn’t allowed to play the sport she loves simply because she is a girl? Someone may have to answer these questions sooner than they think.

Just a few weeks ago, 13-year-old Michelle Wie shot a one-over par 73 while trying to qualify for the Sony Open, a PGA tour event. She was the youngest player and the only female in the competition, in which she finished tied for 47th.

This is the second time Wie has attempted to qualify for the Sony Open; in 2000 she shot an 84 at age ten. Last year she became the youngest player to earn a spot on the LPGA tour. She is being talked about as the Tiger Woods of the ladies tour. Last year Suzy Whaley became the first woman to qualify for a PGA tour event.

It is only a matter of time before Wie does the same. Wie has said she wants to play with the men someday, and if her game catches up with the hype she might be able to compete. Should she be denied that chance based on sex?

Today the number one golfer in the world is an African-American; someday Tiger Woods will probably be considered the greatest golfer ever. 13 years ago, he was only 14 but had been making headlines for years. Luckily for Tiger, 13 years ago Augusta decided to allow African-Americans as members.

I can’t imagine what things would be like today if they hadn’t. Today the debate over women at Augusta rages on, and a 13-year-old girl is dreaming of greatness. Now, who really wants to deny her that chance? And who knows what we might be missing if they do? It’s like I wrote before…The Augusta decision is a tap-in.

Discrimination based on race or sex is wrong, I think we all understand that by now. The question on my mind is: “Why does it persist?” It’s not a question I have an answer for.