Should Augusta's policy be an issue?

Give Martha Burk credit for this much; misguided as she is, at least she created the flashpoint that is the Augusta National controversy.
She didn't wait to see how the wind of public opinion blows, then leech on to the prevailing point of view.
See, it takes no effort to wait a few weeks, watching to see if a non-issue can become the target of a politically correct media frenzy, then jump on the bandwagon.
Are you in favor of women being allowed to join a private golf club? It's the same kind of question as when your significant other turns to you and says, "Does this outfit make me look fat?"
Well, there's two kinds of answers to that: the truth, and the one that's going to allow you to continue sleeping on the comfy side of the bed.
So, yeah, women should be allowed to join a private golf club.
But, what if that private club decides it doesn't want to invite women to join?
Factors at play
The key word in that question is "private." Yes, the Masters is the most watched golf tournament in the world. Yes, the Masters generates millions heaped upon millions of dollars in revenue for the club and all types of satellite industries (hotels, catering, etc.)
But Augusta National is still a private club the other 51 weeks out of the year. It receives no money from any government entity (so any mention of Title IX isn't merited). It has a board of directors that dictates whom it invites to join and whom it doesn't.
What's the difference between this policy and the normally outrageous prices that virtually every private club requires of its members? Should a public boycott of Avalon Lakes be staged because the vast majority of us can't afford to pay its green fees?
Is Augusta National the only golf club in the country that doesn't permit women members? Hardly. So why doesn't Ms. Burk question any of those other clubs' policies?
The answer to that question is a pretty simple one.
In addition to the obvious economic and publicity factors, it's because Augusta National is an easy target. It's perceived as a symbol of the good 'ol boy network, in the Old South to boot, in a region that steadfastly held onto segregationist ideals for far too long.
Hurt his cause
Its spokesman is a man with the nickname of "Hootie," which almost immediately brings to one's imagination the picture of a retired Southern gentleman, sipping on a mint julep under the shade of a magnolia tree with his trusty hound dog Beauregard resting at his feet.
Hootie Johnson has done his part to flame this controversy, simply by opening his public relations mouth. His responses may have been the most well-crafted in history, but they still came out sounding like, "Ah ain't gonna let no dad-gummed women in mah club."
Then there was the "survey" paid for by Augusta National that claimed overwhelming support for its policy. The questions, though, were so obviously worded to elicit pro-Augusta responses that even Johnson's most ardent supporters had to cringe.
The PGA hasn't been much help, either. Commissioner Tim Finchem's response (loosely translated, he wasn't even sure he could recall hearing of a tournament called the Masters) was so spineless he did more to engender support for Ms. Burk's position than anyone except Johnson himself.
At least LPGA chief Ty Votaw -- this week -- took a stance, urging Augusta National to open its doors. (But really now, what would you expect the commissioner of the ladies pro tour to say?)
Eventually, public pressure will force Augusta National to admit female members.
And that's fine.
It would be nice, though, if everyone got this worked up the next time the jerk down the street decides it's a good time to smack around his wife.
XRob Todor is sports editor of The Vindicator. Write to him at todor@vindy.com.