According to Bloomberg News, Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters, has found itself backed into a corner. The male-only club has historically invited the CEOs of the three sponsors of the Master’s tournament telecast . The new CEO of IBM is Ginni Rometty, who just happens to be of the female persuasion.
According to the story written by Beth Jinks and Michael Buteau, “IBM holds a rarefied position at the Augusta, Georgia, course. The company has a hospitality cabin near the 10th hole, beside co-sponsors Exxon Mobil Corp. and AT&T Inc. The companies’ male CEOs have been able to don the club’s signature green member blazers while hosting clients. Non-members, who don’t wear the jackets, must be accompanied by a member to visit the course or play a round.”
“They have a dilemma on many levels,” said Marcia Chambers, senior research scholar in law and journalist in residence at Yale University Law School. “If there’s been a tradition of certain CEOs, then they should look at this new CEO in the same way. The only thing that makes her any different is her gender.”
You can read the entire story by clicking here.
