Any Women at Augusta Yet?

Martha Burk, leader of the most famous women’s movement in sports, is conducting an interview on her cellular phone as she rides the train from her office in Washington to a meeting in New York.

“I’m going to speak on children and family,” Burk said. “I wish I could get a fraction of the coverage on that issue as I’ve gotten for golf.”

Doubtful. Maybe when Tiger Woods gets married, starts a family and asks Burk, chair of the National Council of Women’s Organizations, for a little parenting advice or how to get along with his wife.

In the meantime, the hugely divisive and intensely emotional conflict about whether Augusta National Golf Club should admit female members rambles on, well into its fourth month and gathering momentum.

Burk started the commotion by saying in a letter to Augusta National Chairman Hootie Johnson that she wanted to discuss the club adding a woman member. She is pleased to have received backing for that cause recently in statements from such heavyweights as Kenneth I. Chenault, chairman of American Express; Sanford I. Weill, chairman of Citigroup, and Lloyd Ward, chief executive of the U.S. Olympic Committee.

But sometimes what looks like a trend is misleading. No matter how many corporate titans who are Augusta members come out in support of admitting women to the exclusive, male-only club, don’t expect a swift resolution to the confrontation.

Insiders at Augusta National insist high-profile public messages of support for admitting women to the club have no effect on the issue; they indicate no widespread support by the nearly 300 members; and, most disturbingly, might instead reflect a simple attempt to appease anyone who would be offended by the club’s position and annoyed by being associated with the club.

Burk says she is aware that such a tactic is plausible, but she prefers not to buy into it, at least for now.

“I’m not concerned about that,” she said. “If they think just making a public statement and ‘OK, that’s done,’ then I would become concerned. Right now, I don’t feel that way. I’m considering these public statements as being made in good faith.”

More can be expected. Burk wrote letters to as many as 25 club members who are also chief executive officers of large corporations and asked them to come out publicly in support of women members. Others who have received letters are former Georgia Sen. Sam Nunn, U.S. Ambassador to England Will Farish and Congressman Amory Houghton Jr. of New York.

Burk took issue with the involvement of Farish.

“The idea that a public figure on the public payroll would be a member of a club that practices discrimination is pretty appalling,” she said.

The first wave of public utterances about the women’s issue from Augusta members continues. Former Ford Motor Co. President Harold A. Poling told the Atlanta Journal Constitution that he expects a woman will join him as a member and suggested that the timing should be something along the lines of the sooner the better.

You bet he does, because women tend to buy cars too.

The New York Times, quoting an unnamed club member, reported a week ago that as many as 20 members agree with Weill, Chenault and Ward.

“Then that would make the vote about 280-20,” a source at the club said.

At some point, there could be a purge of club members who might have become too vocal for the majority’s taste. Club rules state that the chairman, Johnson (who had heart surgery last month), is the only proper spokesman for the club, so it could be argued that anyone who has spoken out is already in hot water.

And down the road, in four or five years, after this issue has gone away, Augusta National would have the last word by simply not sending out dues notices to members it considers nonconforming. Sorry, kid, turn in your playbook and your green jacket.

So it goes in this evolving dilemma, in which the easy way out is not much of an option. The short version is that the club members won’t be pressured into admitting a woman, even if it’s something they have basically considered for some time, because they do not enjoy being forced. At the same time, the NCWO’s only option is to use pressure on all sides.

In those letters she sent out asking for support, Burk indicated she prefers a fast track too. She asked for a timetable on progress and whether they would be willing to resign. Her reasoning is pretty direct.

“At some point, working on the inside just becomes an excuse to remain a member,” Burk said.

She says the best idea for any corporate chief-Augusta National member is to climb on board the train and look like a leader. Don’t wait or it might appear you were dragged reluctantly on board.

“These CEO’s are used to looking like leaders,” Burk said.

Maybe so, but chances are this is one track they never thought they would be traveling.