Castle Pines Vows to Open Membership : Golf: Black leaders had threatened to stage demonstration during International Tournament starting today.

Officials at the Castle Pines Golf Club have averted the threat of a demonstration by black leaders over the club’s lack of minority members during the International Golf Tournament that starts today.

Black leaders had threatened to stage a protest at the club during the International Tournament because the club does not have black members. But the group met with Castle Pines officials on Wednesday to discuss the concerns of the black community. Club officials agreed to seek and admit a black member by the end of the year.

The exclusive, private club has no policy barring blacks or minorities, but it has no black members, officials said.

“We will not picket Castle Pines at this time,” said the Rev. Dan Hopkins, pastor of the Church of the Holy Redeemer who led the demonstration effort. “We believe they (Castle Pines) are sincere and they truly intend to open doors to blacks. Larry Theil, the club’s executive director, has assured us that and said he would put it in writing. We expect the letter (today). If it does not come, or the club reneges, then we will re-examine our options. But we feel that Castle Pines is ready to make a change.”

Controversy over the minority membership issue exploded last month because the PGA Championship was being held at the whites-only Shoal Creek Country Club in Birmingham, Ala.