For my second current issue paper I decided to discuss the battle taking place between Augusta National Golf Club and the National Organization of Women (NOW). The women of NOW are demanding that Augusta National allow women to join the club, while the chairman of Augusta Hootie Johnson has said no. It has been a heated issue during the past months and has drawn national attention. I don't believe that is should have gone this far as Augusta being a private club can choose who they want in their club.
             Women should be treated as fairly as men, blacks as fairly as whites and so on. I am for equal rights and everything it represents but sometimes a cause gets lost in the confusion and I believe this is one of those times. Augusta National is not a state or federal sponsored entity, meaning they get nothing from the government to keep them a float. The members themselves pay dues and whatever to keep the golf course and the Masters golf tournament running. Augusta may throw a few fund raisers now and then but the fact still remains that it is a private club for the sole use of it's members and their guests, which can be men or women. Augusta does not ban women from their golf course. Women who are guests of members are allowed to play and do play on the course. " Men and women can play the course as guests of members...women play hundreds of rounds each year..." said Mr. Johnson in an interview.
             The PGA does not pay money to put on the Masters, Augusta National does. It just so happens to be a stop on the PGA schedule each year. Sponsors help offset the cost of the tournament somewhat. NOW wants all the sponsors to withdraw their funding until a woman becomes a member of Augusta National. How can that make sense? Because a group of women decide that it is not "fair" that Agusta ban the membership of women the continuation of one of the most prestigious golf tournament...