The Augusta National Women’s Amateur tournament kicks off on Wednesday with a field of 72 competing to play on the most famous course in golf. While the first two rounds will be played nearby at Champions Retreat Golf Club in Evans, Georgia the top 30 players will then get to move on to the final round at Augusta National on Saturday.
For golf people, this is a really big deal, not only because the famed golf course, known for its sexist and racist policies, is letting amateurs play this close to the Masters, but because it has deigned to let amateur women into its famed institution.
As a reminder, Augusta National did not allow African Americans into the club until 1990, and, according the New York Times, assigned only black caddies to Masters players up until 1983. It only started admitting women members in 2012. That’s only 7 years ago! Until 7 years ago, Augusta, an institution that sports people and golf people fall all over themselves crowing about, only deemed women worthy of playing its course 7 years ago, and only then under immense pressure. It’s hard not to keep bringing that up, especially in the face of a women’s amateur tournament that’s being billed as a progressive step forward, when in fact it’s the least the club can do.
“I see it (Augusta National Women’s Amateur) as a baby step, I wouldn’t even go as far as to say small step,” activist Martha Burk told Reuters. “There’s more to it than that, it is a big PR deal. Let’s call it what it is, they are trying to give the illusion of progress.”
Institutions that elevate themselves based on exclusionary policies shouldn’t be celebrated blankly, but rather held up to be accountable. The banner of tradition hides all manner of sins, and applauding this meager step as a forward-thinking move shows just how low the bar is set for progress. This tournament is nothing more than a PR move, another step in a long line of performative actions that look good on the outside, but don’t lead to any lasting change. Once again, women are offered up scraps and expected to be grateful for them.
