The other side of the national team, the golf club where the Augusta Masters is played: racism, segregation and male chauvinism

He masters, one of the four most important tournaments in world golf, will celebrate its 87th edition between Thursday and Sunday. As has been the case since its inception in 1934, it will be played at Augusta National, which had been founded two years before that inaugural competition as an elite club and which over the years has clung to its iron-clad traditions, to the point that its history is dotted with chapters marked by racism, machismo and controversy. . And while it has broken down some barriers over the years, to this day it remains one of the most conservative and traditional sports institutions in the United States.

Augusta – located on a palatial 350-acre estate in Georgia – was conceived by a tycoon Clifford Robert and the golfer Bobby Jones as a hangout for millionaires looking to escape their busy lives. It was, from its inception, exclusive and private. And this has made his incredible course – known worldwide for its beautiful magnolias and azaleas – become the stage on which all players, amateur and professional, dream of stepping on.

What happens inside Augusta know only its membersaround 300, according to an estimate, because the list of members – such as economic income, the value of the shares and other details that make up the functioning of the institution – is not public.

Becoming part of this small group is not easy. Not everyone can do that, no matter how much money you have in your bank account or how famous you are. The club is governed by a motto: “You are not asked to enter the Augusta. The Augusta invites whoever it wants and when it wants”. And to be considered, you must be nominated by a member. Well you know Bill Gatesco-founder of Microsoft, who made the mistake of publicly saying he wanted to join and was rejected several times before being admitted.

The exclusivity of the Nazionale – as it is known in the world of golf – has often been the cause of criticism, above all due to the openly racist and discriminatory policies that were applied in choosing who entered the club and who did not.

Although the Masters began being played in 1934, it wasn’t until 1975 that a black golfer was allowed to play in the tournament. Era Lee Eldera player from Texas who had won the Monsanto Open the previous year, a tournament in the PGA Tour. That victory allowed him to play the first Major of the season, although not everyone was happy.

Lee said that in the days leading up to the Masters he received death threats and that he had to rent two houses during the competition, to alternate between one and the other, for his own safety. Similarly, he appeared on the court at Georgia, where he added 74 shots in the first round and 78 in the second. He didn’t make the cut, but his participation marked a before and after. Here’s how he recognized it Tiger Woodsthat when he won his first “big” title there, in 1997, he declared: “I take my hat off to him, because he made it possible for me to be here.”

It took several more years for Augusta to strike another coup against racism, but in 1991 she finally admitted to an African-American partner for the first time: Ron Townsend.

A year earlier, the issue of racial discrimination in exclusive clubs in the United States had been on everyone’s lips after Shoal Creek, Alabama, openly stated that “would not be forced to accept black members”. In order not to get caught up in the scandal, many associations rushed to look for African-American golfers and Augusta chose Townsend, a 49-year-old American television executive who belonged to three clubs in the Washington area and had a handicap of 15.

Much more was expected for women’s incorporation, a barrier that has been broken after years of struggle led by Martha Burkepresident of National Council of Women of the United States. On the eve of the 2003 edition of the Master, “everyone in Augusta is talking about protests by feminist groups, threats from racist groups Ku Klux Klanenveloping the tournament in a tense atmosphere,” reads a statement from clarion.

That year, Burke along with activist groups from Georgia planned to block the club’s main entrance; while others, including the Ku Klux Klan, warned they would hold a counter-protest at the same venue. None of this affected the club’s position. your president, hootie johnsonhe has declared: “The 300-member club has unanimously agreed not to admit women as members. Perhaps that will happen with time.”

It happened, but nine years later. In 2012, under the presidency of Billy Paynemuch more progressive than its predecessors, the first two members joined: Condoleezza Riceformer US Secretary of State, e Darla Moorevice president of an investment firm and also the first woman to appear on the cover of the magazine fortune. “This is a significant and positive moment in our club’s history,” said Payne.

If anyone thought Rice and Moore’s joining would generate a wave of new members, they were wrong. In 2014 he was admitted to the third, Virginia Rometti, CEO of IBM, sponsor of the Masters. And just in 2018, in fourth place, the Spanish Ana Botinpresident of Banco Santander.

Another historic moment occurred in 2019, with the celebration of the first Female amateur from Augsburg, the amateur women’s Masters, which allowed a small group of players to take the field for the first time on the club field. It was only for one round – to keep the grass pristine for the following week’s Masters, the first two were played on a nearby pitch – but it was still a huge step forward.

The contest continues to be held in the same format – the American pink zhang won the title last week, though many are hoping it will eventually turn into a pro tournament, as have the other three Majors on the calendar.

a closed field

Since its founding nearly 90 years ago, Augsburg has broken some of its most archaic and controversial traditions. But it’s still a very closed club, refusing to change the old ways. The mythic field, for example, is not open to everyone, as he discovered a few days ago Gary Playerwinner of the Masters in 1961, 1974 and 1978 and who every year makes the coup d’or honor of the tournament together with jack nicholas.

The 87-year-old South African said he felt “sad” not to be able to go and play at Augusta National with his grandchildren. “After all, I’ve contributed to this tournament and having been an ambassador for them, I can’t go and play there with my three grandchildren without begging a member to play with us, and there’s always some excuse. It’s terrible.”, he assured him.

“I’ve played my role: I’ve won the tournament three times, been in the top 10 15 times, made more straight cuts than anyone, but here I am, fighting to be able to play a round. If it were “For the players, Augusta would be just another golf course in Georgia. It’s sad that the club doesn’t make you feel welcome.”

The rules at the National are very strict. The player, as a former champion (and honorary member), can play there whenever he wants, but cannot bring guests. To get your grandkids in, you need a club member to extend an invitation and be there to greet and escort them, even if you don’t go out to play with them.

Masters players themselves, who have not won it in the past, each year receive a special invitation from Augusta to participate in the competition.