Men Move Over: Augusta National Finally Lets Ladies In

Oh great!  Finally women are allowed to become members of Augusta National's perfectly manicured golfing sanctuary. Now the fabled country club will be able to post pictures of former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice whacking a golf ball and sipping on beer in the clubhouse. What a progressive place! Secretary Rice will be joined in the former all-boys club by a rich banker named Darla Moore.  A real milestone.  Pardon my sarcasm, but its hard for me to work up the necessary enthusiasm for this momentous act of "equal rights".

Condoleezza Rice

The fact is Augusta National - the home of The Masters - should have had women members years ago. Just as it should have admitted African American men to membership long before 1990.

I'm way past tired of the racist actions of the country club set that are still casually tolerated by far too many people.

Membership restrictions - "exclusive" - for those who want to use more high-minded language, though still exist at country clubs around the country.  And far too few do or say anything about it.

But it bothers me mightily to hear those who say Augusta National does things in its own way and in its own time, always giving the club a pass, because of its history and prestige.

The real test of the sincerity of all of this will be counting the number of women and minorities who are members of Augusta National 10 and 20 years from now.  I'm betting there will still be less than a dozen non-white, non-male members.

Another Concussion: Colts Austin Collie Should Retire

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Austin Collie took another shot to the head last night in the Colts - Pittsburgh Steelers preseason game. Based on initial reports from the Colts, Collie is suffering from "concussion-like symptoms".  If this is what's going on I think the guy should retire.

Austin Collie

How many more hits does Collie need to endure before it becomes clear that significant damage has been done to his brain.

Two seasons ago, the hits he took should have ended his career. This time if Collie doesn't make the decision to call it quits, then the Colts should make it for him and let him go.

More attention is being paid to head injuries all the time now, and for good reason. In the case of Austin Collie what more do we need to see?

Let me add though, whatever the future of Austin Collie, the hit that hurt him was unnecessary. Collie's forward progress - such that it was - had been stopped and he was down, but soon to be followed was what I like to call a "for good measure" extra hit from the Steelers' Larry Foote. Hits like that end careers, and have no place in the game.