Golf The Right To
Remain Silent by Bill Hogan
THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT.
September 20, 2002
by Bill Hogan
Martha Burk – head of the National Council of
Women's Organizations (NCWO) - is digging in her heels.
Fighting a grave injustice perpetrated on women all
over the world.
Well, not all over the world, but certainly here in
America. Not all women in America, but some. Let's call
it a handful.
In short, Martha Burk is leading the charge against
the Augusta National Golf Club in order to secure membership
privileges for a couple of very wealthy, very well connected
women with high social status and low handicaps. Hey,
somebody has to speak out on their behalf. And Ms. Burk
seems to be up to the task. She is dedicated to the
cause and diligent in her efforts.
I don't think Augusta Chairman Hootie Johnson has any
idea who he is messing with. It is obvious that Ms.
Burk will do anything in her considerable power to achieve
her objective.
She's targeted Augusta National's premier event: The
Masters. Now it's open season on potential sponsors
and tournament broadcasters as well as the rest of the
all-male membership.
And she wants to see professional golfers boycott the
tournament next year. Augusta National – the planet's
greatest golfer – has come under fire for not
standing up along side the NCWO and proclaiming his
outrage. I say, stand up and be counted, Tiger. You
shouldn't keep your opinions to yourself – it's
not the American way. You too, Mickelson, Love and Daly.
There is no greater accomplishment than having a hand
in helping a rich woman advance her social status.
Sure, you have the right to remain silent, but anything
you don't say can and will be used against you by the
NCWO and the media. So what if this is an issue initiated
by an organization you are not affiliated with? The
battlefield is a golf course, and you guys are golfers.
Take a stand.
I should say, take a stand against Hootie and Augusta
– because if you are not with Ms. Burk on this
issue then you are against her, and the rights of women
everywhere. I think, if push comes to shove, that the
players should boycott the 2003 Masters. It doesn't
matter that the tournament generates over 3 million
dollars each year for charities across the country.
Something has to give here. The loss of charitable revenue
is a small price to pay to get even one privileged lady
fitted for a green member's jacket of her very own.
It's shameful to think that, until this issue is resolved,
these poor, well-to-do women will have to settle for
teeing it up every weekend at some other, lesser known,
private country club. Sure there are naysayers out there
that believe Ms. Burk has her own agenda. That she is
enjoying her time under the bright lights of the talk
show circuit. That this issue does nothing for the greater
good of womankind and that the overwhelming publicity
has given her a severe case of tunnel vision.
I say, if not Martha Burk, then who? And if not now,
then when? Ms. Burk is following her heart and her convictions
and I applaud her for it. It's time for people to realize
that socialites have rights too – especially if
they can sink a six-foot putt. On the surface, it does
seem to me that there may be better causes for Ms. Burk
and the NCWO to tackle. They could devote their formidable
resources to issues that most Americans can rally around
and feel passionate about.
There are homeless women and children in every city
in America. Too many women are attacked and beaten every
day. Deadbeat Dad's – 'nuff said there. But what
do I know; I'm just a stupid man. I'm sure Ms. Burk
has a much better idea of what's really important when
it comes to advancing the rights of women than I ever
will. I'm not even sharp enough to know when I'm getting
on my wife's nerves.
So let's go, Tiger. Let's all get on board, do what
has to be done to bring an end to this issue and get
a lady in the locker room at Augusta National. Then
Ms. Burk and the NCWO can team up with the AARP and
go after Hootie and Augusta National for not letting
past champions compete at The Masters after they turn
65. That's gotta be the most pressing issue with the
elderly in America today.
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