Hockey

A country club in a Buffalo, N.Y., suburb whose members include several Buffalo Sabres players and officials has denied membership to goalie Grant Fuhr, who is black.

An official for Transit Valley Country Club would not say why Fuhr was rejected, but said that the decision was not because Fuhr is black. The club does not have any black members, but other minorities belong to the club.

“I can tell you for sure that it was not a racist decision,” John Crinzi, who heads the club’s membership committee, told a Buffalo TV station.

Fuhr said he heard reports that he was denied membership because of his behavior at the club and because of improper golf attire.

“I heard it was because I was drinking in the club, but that’s wrong. I don’t drink,” Fuhr was quoted as saying in the the Buffalo News. “I also heard something about my clothes.

“I’ve always been well-dressed at courses and never been accused of poor attire, not even in Scotland at the Royal & Ancient Club.”