The Masters Tournament is a highly prestigious golf event, considered 1 of the 4 major championships, due to its history, exclusivity and unique traditions.
One of the Four Majors
The Masters, along with the U.S. Open, The Open Championship (British Open) and the PGA Championship, are arguably the most prestigious tournaments in men's professional golf. Winning any of these majors is a significant achievement.
Tradition and History
The Masters has a long history. The first tournament was held in 1934 and it has been held every year since (except during WWII) at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia.
The tradition of the iconic green jacket awarded to the winner is synonymous with The Masters. A green jacket is a ticket to automatically return and compete in The Masters for a lifetime.
Exclusivity and Prestige
Augusta National Golf Club is a private club. The Masters is an invitation-only event, adding to its exclusivity.
Masters’ champions are automatically invited to play in the other 3 Majors for the next 5 years, and receive membership on the PGA Tour for the following 5 seasons.
Sounds like a dream, wouldn’t you say?
Well, there’s a missing piece here. And given recent attempts to shut down diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, the time is ripe to remind all of us about Augusta’s racist, antisemitic and misogynistic past.
But first let me remind you what DEI policies and programs are intended to do. They promote the fair treatment and full participation of all people, particularly groups that have historically been underrepresented or subject to discrimination based on identity or disability. Many cite the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964 as a catalyst for the DEI movement. The Act, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, made discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin illegal in employment.
Racism at Augusta National
“As long as I'm alive, golfers will be white and caddies will be black.” (Clifford Roberts, Co-founder, Augusta National Golf Club)
The Augusta National Golf Club did not extend an invitation to a Black golfer until 1975 (Lee Elder). It only admitted its first Black member in 1990 (Ron Townsend).
Two years later Isao Aoki was invited to play at The Masters. The first Asian member, Tetsuji Hiratsuka, was admitted to the Club in 1999.
Caddies at Augusta National were only Black until 1983, then they were gradually pushed out by higher paid white caddies.
Antisemitism at Augusta National
“There are a lot of Jews who would like to be members here, but we don't have any Jews at Augusta." (Clifford Johnson, Co-founder, Augusta National Golf Club)
Abe (Abraham) Mitchell played in the 1949 Masters. Harlan Stone was invited to become a member of Augusta National Golf Club 20 years later in 1969, making him the first Augusta National Jewish member.
Misogyny at Augusta National
“Our membership is male and has been male, and it will remain male.” (Hootie Johnson, Chairman, Augusta National Golf Club)
Misogyny is a term for the dislike, prejudice or contempt toward women.
The Augusta National Golf Club admitted its first female members in 2012: U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and businesswoman Darla Moore.
The Masters remains a male-only event.
A famous Black golfer once politely said:
“You know, we all know the history of Augusta, and it's a slow process.” (Tiger Woods, Professional Golfer)
I suspect that many of you do not fully know the dark history of Augusta National. Now you do. Let us not forget during these times when DEI programs are being eliminated across America.
Now that you’ve read today’s blog, why not take what you’ve learned and play today’s matching quiz on your Quizefy app? Many of the answers can be found right here. We publish an on-trend, hint-filled blog at www.quizefy.com every Tuesday, along with a matching quiz in your Quizefy app. We think they’re a great combination and a great way to Strut Your Smart.