I originally started this post back on May 26th but with all the resurfacing buzz about the issue of “equal treatment” of women on golf courses, particularly in the UK [read: the serious side or the op-ed piece], I’ve been motivated to finish this …
Late last night I was heading south on 95, returning home for the weekend. In an attempt to stay focused I decided to search for some 'talk' radio. The static hiss of the AM offerings was not cutting it, so I ended up listening to the CSPAN station on FM.
A prerecorded lecture by Martha Burk, at the National Press Club was just beginning. Certain tid-bits from the introduction told me I was not going to agree with most of what this woman would be saying, but I like to be aware of exactly what I don't agree with.
One issue in particular stood out. Martha Burk vs. Augusta National Golf Club.
In leading the fight against Augusta's men's-only policy, Burk has gone so far as to accuse corporate executives with Augusta memberships of being discriminatory employers! This spring Morgan Stanley paid out $46 million in a similar lawsuit.
Don't you enjoy spending time with your gal pals sans-men, Martha? What about the LPGA? I say Tiger tries to play an LPGA tournament. There are plenty of golf lessons designed for girls only, I’m certain there aren’t any boy-only unless offered at Augusta. Let the boys have their club, what is the problem or the intrigue? We have the right to go out and start some women-exclusive golf clubs. There's a resent plan to make an entire floor at the Marriott hotel women-only; I don't have an issue with that and I bet men don’t either ... until people like Martha Burk enter the picture.
It'd be one thing if every golf course was male-only, but that isn't the case at all. Being the graduate of all-girls school, where a single sex environment may allow some to excel more. Maybe that’s part of the men’s-only purpose. We're females, does Martha neglect to acknowledge the power we hold ... which might be distracting to some men in their pursuits of competition or relaxation?
A lot of the recent coverage has focused on the apparently flawed strategy to create equality at the club. Now the problem isn’t about women being allowed in. The issue is how we’re treated at the facility after some have fought our way in. Resentment maybe? ‘You girls want to be members of our club? Sure, we’ll let you in … just see how much you enjoy it.’ I'm more bothered by this problem though than an entire men's-only facility. If you're going to let us in, let us in. If you want to have some men's-only hours or lounges, then make some women's-only one's also. I do also automatically apply economic principles to this sticky situation. When the demand for fabulous women's facilities increases and there is a substantial profit to be made off the female golf base, then places will truly cater to our needs and tastes. You can't successfully force a market to do what you want. You want to see some legitimate changes? Keep bringing those clubs and pocketbooks to the golf course ladies.
Apparently I’m not alone since groups like Women Against Martha Burk spouted up. Thoughts anyone?
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Fairway Clash over Feminism & Golf
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6 comments:
Well said and i totally agree.
The thing is, and I see it at our local country club, the "men only" activities, lounges and such are perceived as being exciting, fun, and a bit lascivious, centered on drinking, swearing, cigar-smoking and the like while the "women only" equivalents are perceived as being dull and boring, centered on chatting about children and grandchildren, sipping iced tea and gossiping about the female members who dress inappropriately for the course.
Fortunately this appears to be a generational thing, as a new post-feminist generation takes over this will be less and less the case. Today's young women are much more able to have fun and feel empowered than the Martha Burk era gals, and often choose to vacation or go out without men. They're not going to be fighting to get into "men only" venues, they'll simply create their own places.
Yes Martha Burk and her posse are dinosaurs, it's just a shame they're able to instigate frivolous lawsuits... which end up costing everyone money... before becoming extinct.
I do feel that there should be more equality in golf facilities that are open to both sexes. In my many travels across the country in what I do for business I get to see the entire country club or golf resort, inside and out. I am embarrassed at how the men's facilities of almost all of the clubs I visit are drenched in luxury and amenities while the facilities allocated by the club for women are of no way near to being equal. For me, that has got to change. Gone are the days when the little lady sits at home keeping house while the man of house goes out to play a round of golf. Now you will see them together or apart playing a round of golf. Why can't golf clubs see the future of golf and change before they are forced out of business. HUMMM sounds like a mission doesn't it?
Separate but equal has been discredited a long time in this country. If you don't think "good ol boys" deals about business that exclude women are made on the golf course, you should really think again. What kind of message is it when you are told as a club member that you are a second class citizen. Please for the sake of your daughters think again.
As long as women feel disempowered they'll be disempowered.
I maintain that attitudes are changing with a new generation... A generation of women who are not fighting to get in to the "good old boy's" circles, but rather creating high value power bases of their own.
You make a strong case for Augusta National to keep its membership male-only, but if I (a male) were to make that argument, I'd surely be pounced on as sexist.
I was at the National Press Club luncheon you heard and Burk was an impressive speaker although I'm not sure I agreed with her on every point.
I caught up with Burk afterwards and wrote this article on her which got published yesterday: http://www.campusprogress.org/features/1744/five-minutes-with-martha-burk
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