Augusta National Golf Club

Case Preface

100

Who was the chairman of Augusta National Golf Club in 2002?

William Johnson (Hootie)

200

What is the basic business issue of this case?

-Should women be admitted to the club?

300

Is it appropriate for women to protest to be considered for membership at Augusta National? (Note other organizations that exclude certain genders, i.e Boy Scouts)

Yes, because Augusta isn't simply a private club. They are home to the Master's tournament where professional golfers around the world come to compete in the sport. Female golfers should not be excluded. No, there is nothing to protest. Women are allowed to have their own clubs just like any other group is allowed to. If Augusta's policies do not allow women, the decision should be respected. You don't see men protesting to be part of women-only clubs.

400

What other courses of action could have been pursued by key players (Augusta and NCWO)?

The NCWO could have been less confrontational and forceful. Augusta would not have felt as harassed. Augusta could have been less stubborn and open to discussions.

Augusta National/Master Tournament

100

What was Augusta's reaction when the NCWO pressured the sponsors of the Masters Tournament?

They canceled all sponsorships for the Masters Tournament, stating, "The NCWO's true target is Augusta National, the sponsors should not be put in the position of having to deal with the NCWO's pressure."

200

What are the three other major golf tournaments besides the Masters listed in the case?

1. U.S Open 2. British Open 3. PGA Championship

300

Should Augusta National be able to make their own membership policies (even if it may be considered sexist)?

Yes, because they are a private club and are entitled to their own policies. No, because Augusta National represents the game of golf which does not exclude based on gender.

400

Do you think Augusta National was so resistant to accepting women because it felt like it was being forced to change?

Yes, they consider membership policy their private decision, not something to be influenced by outsiders of the club. Being pressured into accepting female members, even if they were about to do so anyway, aggravates them. They don't want a decision to accept females to be someone else's idea. No, they are simply resistant because they are an institution that prides itself on its long-time traditions.

The Sponsors

100

Each of the TV sponsors of the Masters Golf Tournament have a corporate policy forbidding what?

Gender Discrimination

200

Name the four sponsors mentioned in our textbook.

Citigroup Corporation The Coca-Cola Company IBM Corporation Cadillac Motor Division, General Motors Corporation

300

IBM stated that it did not view its continued sponsorship of the Masters as contradictory to the company's commitment to diversity and support for women in business. Do you agree with this?

Yes, IBM may have its own policies within its own company regarding diversity and women. However, whether it sponsors the Masters should be a business decision only; it should not concern itself with the membership issues Augusta has. Membership within a private club has nothing to do with a third party like IBM. No, if IBM has a commitment to diversity and women in its own company, it should not support the Masters because Augusta's policies are contrary to this commitment. Sponsoring a company who does not share IBM's diversity and inclusion policy would undermine and weaken their policy.

400

If you are one of the sponsors, would you have withdrawn your sponsorship? Why or why not?

Yes? No?

NCWO

100

What does NCWO stand for?

National Council of Women's Organization

200

At the time of this case, who was the chair of the NCWO?

Martha Burke

300

Why was NCWO in the wrong? Why were they in the right?

???

400

If Rice and Moore had not been invited to Augusta National, should the NCWO continue to press this issue today? If so, how?

Yes, because this is a fight for women's rights and their equality. No, because Augusta is a private club and the more NCWO pressures them, the more resistant they'll be. They will make a decision on their own terms when they are ready, as any private entity is entitled to do.