Shoal Creek is back in the game of major championships with the Regions Tradition. Everyone here is very excited about the event, especially, Lee Trevino, who won the 1990 PGA Championship at Shoal Creek. Wonderful course to play and watch an event.
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2010/08/shoal_creek_gets_major_pga_cha.html
Excellent....
It is about time!
Shoal Creek is a great course, but, I still think that considering the membership is important before playing a tournament at a course. Three black members out of 600 is preposterous, and the course should be embarrassed.
Yes, I know the argument that the course is private, and they can admit whomever they want, blah blah blah, but IMO if they choose to only admit whites, then they shouldn't be hosting professional or amateur events. Butler National used to host the Western Open (now the BMW, I think) until the early 90s, but because they wouldn't admit women or minorities as members, the Western Open moved to Cog Hill and has been played there ever since. A couple of token minority members shouldn't be enough for an event to be played at a course; I think it sends the wrong message.
I tend to agree with you ndoyle...I think a course should have to meet certain criteria to host a tournament...I'm sure courses don't mind it when those that attend a tournament spend their hard earned money there but yet wouldn't consider letting those same people join because of their ability to choose who is a member and who is not...
I completly understand the issues related to Shoal Creek. However, they have made the effort every since the PGA Championship. The PGA of America, USGA, and the PGA Tour have policies that courses must adhere in order to host an event. Obviously, Shoal Creek has done so with recent events such as: 2010 Southern Amateur (USGA), 2009 US Junior Amateur (USGA). This will be good event that will continue to provide millions of dollars to local charities.
http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2010/08/scarbinsky_another_major_at_sh.html
Glad to see Shoal Creek back in the game. Great course to challenge the Pros. As to their selectivity, the PGA & USGA have to make some decisions related to that matter and they must have come up with sufficient reasoning to go back to the Shoal.
ndoyle: Shoal Creek is a great course, but, I still think that considering the membership is important before playing a tournament at a course. Three black members out of 600 is preposterous, and the course should be embarrassed. Yes, I know the argument that the course is private, and they can admit whomever they want, blah blah blah, but IMO if they choose to only admit whites, then they shouldn't be hosting professional or amateur events. Butler National used to host the Western Open (now the BMW, I think) until the early 90s, but because they wouldn't admit women or minorities as members, the Western Open moved to Cog Hill and has been played there ever since. A couple of token minority members shouldn't be enough for an event to be played at a course; I think it sends the wrong message.
Can you, or anybody really, explain to me how the make up of a club's membership has any bearing whatsoever on that club's ability to host a golf event? I just don't get it. And I'm pretty sure Condy Rice isn't anybody's "token".
Then Augusta should not be allowed a tournament because they do not have a woman member. However they did let Bill Gates join.