ponte vedra beach, fla. -- although pga tour not allow courses host tournaments discriminate in membership policy, commissioner tim finchem on wednesday said doesn't hold augusta national same standard due lofty status of masters.
year's first major championship co-sponsored pga tour, means victory in tournament , money earned count toward tour's records.
"the position of pga tour hasn't changed,'' finchem said during news conference prior players championship @ tpc sawgrass covered variety of topics. "we have policy says when go out , co-sanctioned event, going play @ club open women members, open minority members, etc. , follow policy carefully.
"in case of masters, have concluded number of times ... not going give masters tournament on our tour. it's important. @ end of day, membership of club has determine membership. , not doing illegal.''
home masters has long maintained policy of not having women members, despite pressure in recent years, including @ last month's event won bubba watson. when bloomberg news reported in march new ibm ceo woman, virginia rometty -- , club traditionally invites ibm ceo member -- set off new round of questions, because seemingly put club in conflict own policy.
masters chairman billy payne said during tournament year not discuss club's membership issues, private.
last week billionaire investor warren buffett became first known augusta national member speak out.
"i'm not telling group @ augusta do, if running club, i'd have plenty of women," buffett, 81, said in interview bloomberg television after company's annual meeting saturday in omaha, neb.
pga tour's policy dates 1990 when founder of shoal creek country club in birmingham, ala., hall thompson, made controversial comments why club had no minority members.
shoal creek site of year's pga championship, , fallout caused many of major golf associations adopt policies stated not take tournaments clubs discriminated, including united states golf association, pga of america , pga tour.
in case of tour, meant scrambling had take place. among high-profile venues had discriminatory policies cypress point -- part of rotation @ at&t national pro-am -- , butler national near chicago, hosted western open.
both of clubs dropped out, meaning pebble beach tournament replaced cypress point poppy hills (and later monterrey peninsula golf club), while western open (now bmw championship) moved cog hill.
augusta national moved invite first african-american member, , ronald townsend -- still member of club -- joined in 1991. club has remained firm in stance against inviting women (who allowed guests) become members.
"we elect continue recognize them official money event on pga tour because it's important golf, don't determining whether policies right or right, because don't have to,'' said finchem, 65, has been pga tour commissioner since 1994 , contract has been extended through 2016. "we made conclusion regardless of policies, going continue play , recognize them part of pga tour.
"i know people don't position, , appreciate , understand reasoning, that's decision we've made.''
pga tour has different relationship masters , other major championships events on schedule sanctions. tour involved in securing sponsors , negotiating television rights fees -- not major championships.
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