Augusta National looks foolish after resisting diversity for so long | Opinion
The Masters' home thought it was showing strength by resisting calls for inclusion. But change is inevitable. As they've now realized, it's usually for the good.
Nancy ArmourAUGUSTA, Ga. – Like so many others who have defiantly stood in the way of progress, the green jackets at Augusta National have come to see just how foolish they were.
On Wednesday, Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley said he wished the club would have added women members earlier, and that he will “make sure” more will be admitted while he’s in charge. That’s quite an about face from 20 years ago, when then-chairman Hootie Johnson declared that Augusta National would not be forced into admitting women “at the point of a bayonet.”
“We are a better club, we are a better organization, and we're very proud to have women among our membership,” Ridley said. “When anything happens, or any idea that you had turns out well and you're pleased about it, you might always say, `Well, why didn't we do that sooner?’ That's a fair thought.