KirkwoodGolf

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Women's Masters at Augusta? Paula Creamer won't accept "No" for an answer


FROM GOLF.COM
By Randall Mell
Yeah, Paula Creamer knows Augusta National Chairman Billy Payne has shot down the idea of a women's  Masters, but she isn’t backing down from her belief that the women ought to play a championship there, too.
“He did,” Creamer said Tuesday at the Swinging Skirts Classic. “But there is no reason why you can't revisit things and you can't look at it. I think somebody's got to speak up and say something.
" I've never been afraid to do that, so there is no reason why I can't voice my opinion on it . . . It’s an idea. I don't think that people should be ashamed to talk about it. I would like to know truthfully why we wouldn't be able to have a tournament there.
“Women's golf definitely deserves something like that. I think it would be a great place to host that.”
Two days after the Masters, Creamer tweeted out her hope the Masters would host a women’s Masters to build on the club’s grow-the-game initiatives.
This is what Payne said when asked about that possibility in his annual address: 
“I don't think so. I believe I had that question last year, or the year before. We have a very short member season at Augusta National. It's seven months only. The time that we dedicate to the preparation and conduct of the Masters tournament is already extensive. I don't think that we would ever host another tournament.”
Creamer is undaunted.
“They want to grow the game so badly,” Creamer said. “That's what it is about, growing the game, and giving people opportunities. The Chip and Putt, all of that for the kids to be able to come out there . . . there is no reason we can't do that for women's golf as well. We're just as much a part of growing the game.  
"I've been there, played there, stayed in Butler Cabin. I had an awesome time. I think the patrons and everybody would love to have two weeks there, two tournaments.  Why wouldn't you?”