when did augusta national allow women
Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters Tournament, admitted its first women members in 2012, marking the end of an 80-year all-male policy.
Historic Milestone
On August 20, 2012, the club announced that former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and financier Darla Moore had become the first women to receive green jackets, granting full membership privileges. This came after decades of controversy, including a high-profile 2002-2003 campaign by activist Martha Burk, who demanded female inclusion, met with resistance from then-chairman Hootie Johnson. Women had previously been allowed only as guests, playing the course under strict conditions like the Sunday before Masters week.
Road to Change
Founded in 1932, Augusta National faced parallel scrutiny for racial exclusivity, admitting its first Black member (Ron Townsend) in 1990 amid pressure from similar campaigns. The 2012 decision followed renewed attention when IBM's new CEO, Ginni Rometty, attended the Masters without a green jacket, spotlighting the policy anew. Rice and Moore, both influential figures—Rice in diplomacy and Moore in finance—symbolized a deliberate step toward inclusivity, though the club has around 300 members total and growth has been gradual.
Progress Since 2012
By 2018, Augusta launched the Augusta National Women's Amateur (ANWA), hosting top female amateurs partly on its course, a move praised for elevating women's golf. Critics note it's still a step short of professional women's events at the club, but membership for women has quietly expanded beyond the initial pair. No major recent policy shifts as of 2026, but the ANWA remains a fixture, blending tradition with evolving norms.
Milestone| Date| Key Details
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Club Founded| 1932| All-male from inception 2
First Black Member| 1990| Ron Townsend joins 3
First Women Members| Aug 20, 2012| Rice & Moore 14
ANWA Debut| 2019| Women's amateur event 6
TL;DR: Augusta National first allowed women as full members on August 20, 2012, with Condoleezza Rice and Darla Moore breaking the barrier after decades of debate.
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