On September 5th, The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Chairman Julian Bond issued the following statement about the discriminatory practices of the Augusta National Golf Club, sponsors of the Masters:
"Just as we at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) believe that colored people come in all colors, we know that discrimination takes many forms.
"Discrimination based on gender or race is wrong, whether it happens at a public university or an exclusive golf club. The athletes who play at such clubs endorse exclusion by their presence. Advertisers and broadcasters of club events subsidize discrimination.
"Golf has had a troubled history, despite a black man, Dr. George Grant, having invented and patented the golf tee in 1899.
"Oscar Bunn and John Shippen qualified for the U. S. Open in 1896 over the objection of some white players (Shippen finished fifth).
"A black architect, John Bartholomew, designed many courses where he could not play.
"In reaction to early golf's whites-only and men-only policies, blacks formed the United Golf Association in 1928 – women and whites were welcomed in their tournaments.
"In 1943 the Professional Golf Association (PGA) adopted a 'Caucasian clause' excluding all non-whites. Only recently have blacks been permitted to join exclusive clubs. Thirty years after the enactment of Title IX, Augusta National Golf Club still refuses to admit women members.
"Pressure that can be brought to bear in the marketplace is an important tool in fighting discrimination.
"We applaud and support the efforts of the National Council of Women's Organizations (NCWO) to end the exclusion of women from Augusta.
"We speak in memory of black champions Rhonda Fowler and Ann Gregory and express solidarity with our sisters in NCWO. "Fore"ward in the struggle!"
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