Quote:I grabbed an old Sports Illustrated the other day, the one I’d left sitting downstairs in the room I refer to as my ever-changing shrine to the game of golf.

No, this issue didn’t have any swimsuits on the cover. It was the September 16, 2002 issue. Of particular interest to me is the column written by Rick Reilly titled, "No Man’s Land".

Reilly waxed on about the Ladies’ Golf Club of Toronto, a private facility for women only. According to Reilly, "the waiting list to get into the club is one year; unless you’re a male, in which case it’s forever and one year."

Initially I thought this was just a nifty piece of fiction, but I did investigate and interestingly, the Ladies’ Golf Club of Toronto really does exist, since 1924 in fact. And with regard to membership opportunities, Reilly really did explain it accurately.

Imagine that folks, there exists in North America a gender exclusive golf club. Curious, eh? In these days of tolerance and public consciousness, of political correctness and well, dagnabit, the reasonable expectation of some plain old-fashioned common decency. Oh, the humanity!

What with all the hoopla this spring surrounding the "male-only" membership situation at Augusta National Golf Club, the cause of much consternation at the offices of the National Council of Women’s Organizations, I thought it might be interesting to broach the concept of the double standard. I just had to phone this place.

When I reached Ladies’, it was confirmed to me that I have no hope of becoming a member of the Club. And the receptionist wasn’t particularly gentle regarding the genitals issue, as she spoke with a seemingly boastful, pride-filled voice. However, I was told if I know a member who would be willing to sponsor me, I may apply to become a guest cardholder. Of course, I’ll be required to park on the gravel behind the clubhouse rather than in the "female-only" parking lot.

But you know, I think Ladies’ is playing a trick on me, because the powers-that-be are sure to know these two certainties: I will never look in a glove compartment for a map and, I will never stop to ask for directions. You see, the Ladies’ Golf Club of Toronto is really located in Thornhill, Ontario. Must be part of the strategy?

Perhaps David Feherty of GOLF Magazine has put the whole issue into a perspective we can all appreciate. "As all men know," Feherty writes, "there's no real upside to arguing with women, because even when we win, we lose something, or at best end up paying more than retail."

So, it is with heart felt sincerity guys, that I ask you to be very cautious at all times in the future, because you don’t want to be on the receiving end of the wallop you’ll feel if the pendulum ever swings back toward you.

(Erickson can be contacted at gegolf@telus.net)
©2004

SouthGAEagle Wrote:And really, don't these women have better things to do, like fighting breast cancer, rape, malnutrition, etc?

blah Wrote:

SouthGAEagle Wrote:And really, don't these women have better things to do, like fighting breast cancer, rape, malnutrition, etc?

You forgot making dinner and cleaning the house..... :D

NOLEY Wrote:

blah Wrote:

SouthGAEagle Wrote:And really, don't these women have better things to do, like fighting breast cancer, rape, malnutrition, etc?

You forgot making dinner and cleaning the house..... :D

Oh that was almost funny :rolleyes: hey blah

~NOLEY~:wave

blah Wrote:

NOLEY Wrote:

blah Wrote:

SouthGAEagle Wrote:And really, don't these women have better things to do, like fighting breast cancer, rape, malnutrition, etc?

You forgot making dinner and cleaning the house..... :D

Oh that was almost funny :rolleyes: hey blah

~NOLEY~:wave

Are you disappointed that I forgot the barefoot and pregnant piece?

It was a joke....Don't be such a "See You Next Tuesday."

blah Wrote:

SouthGAEagle Wrote:And really, don't these women have better things to do, like fighting breast cancer, rape, malnutrition, etc?

You forgot making dinner and cleaning the house..... :D

NOLEY Wrote:

I dont see the big deal with "MEN AT WORK" I have seen the Mommy signs before I think in Jacksonville last week... Geeez the big <span style='color:orange'>ORANGE</span> sign clues me in I may want to slow the roll or better yet "speeding fines double in work zone" that is another clue people are in the area!

OwlJacket Wrote:

NOLEY Wrote:

I dont see the big deal with "MEN AT WORK" I have seen the Mommy signs before I think in Jacksonville last week... Geeez the big <span style='color:orange'>ORANGE</span> sign clues me in I may want to slow the roll or better yet "speeding fines double in work zone" that is another clue people are in the area!

Well, in Florida, they have to have the 'Slow down my MOMMY works here' sign in order to make them believable. How many kids are actually going to know who their daddy is?