Condi On Golf

From two years ago

In 2008, you joined Shoal Creek in Birmingham, Ala., the two-time PGA site that made headlines in 1990 for its founder’s very public refusal to admit a black member. How did you wind up joining there?
I am a native of Birmingham, and just after I left Washington, my aunt, who is the closest living relative I have, moved back from Norfolk, Va., to Birmingham. She said, “How can I be assured that you’ll come and visit often?” And I said, “Well, move someplace close to a golf course.” She actually moved to Greystone [Ala.], but she was considering Shoal Creek. I played Shoal Creek, and they asked me if I’d like to become a non-resident member.

Given Shoal Creek’s past, were you trying to make any kind of political or social statement?
No, I just want to play golf. I was making no statement whatsoever. Look, the country’s come a long way. Alabama’s come a long way. Exclusionary policies weren’t unique to Shoal Creek.

But surely you weighed the club’s history when making your decision to join?
No, I didn’t weigh it. It is a fine club and it has wonderful members. The club’s history is something I consider to be its history.

Damn straight, Condi.

I seem to recall a fellow who once brilliantly longed for a day when people would be judged by the content of their character and not by the color of their skin.

4 Responses to “Condi On Golf”

1. ricki says:

   August 21, 2012 at 8:42 am

   Those comments make me like her even better.

   “No, I just want to play golf” when asked if she had some agenda behind joining.

   I’m so farging tired of “agendas.”

2. Syd B. says:

   August 21, 2012 at 9:53 am

   She is a brilliant American –
   A black woman whose only handicap is an annoying slice. And good for the board of Augusta National for joining the 21st century.

3. JeffS says:

   August 21, 2012 at 9:56 am

   True, Syd, save that (to some fools who shall remain nameless, save they are lefties), her being conservative is a handicap as well.

   I don’t, and I hope she works a lot on her swing.

4. Kathy Kinsley says:

   August 23, 2012 at 8:53 pm

   “I seem to recall a fellow who once brilliantly longed for a day when people would be judged by the content of their character and not by the color of their skin.”

   Someday. Maybe. It really is silly, when you think about it. Why not hate redheads instead? (Oh, yeah… the Irish…lol).

   Sigh, it’s human nature to want to feel superior to someone else. If we managed to meld everyone into a nice tan color…eye or hair color would be something to look down on (or height, or weight or straight hair or whatever).

   But I share his impossible dream. Maybe someday people will be judged on the content of their character. And not on their appearance. (He just didn’t take it far enough.)