Condoleezza Rice: Augusta's first female member
Former US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and businesswoman Darla Moore will become the first female members of Augusta National when the club's new season starts in October
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Augusta National has broken with an 80-year-old tradition by adding two females to its list of members - former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and business executive Darla Moore.
The home of The Masters since 1934 had been put under increased pressure in recent years to do away with its all-male membership policy, a contentious and widely debated issue that intensified under Hootie Johnson's stewardship as club chairman.
Rice and Moore will now become the first women to wear green jackets when the club opens for the start of a new season in October.
"This is a joyous occasion as we enthusiastically welcome Secretary Condoleezza Rice and Darla Moore as members of Augusta National Golf Club," said Augusta club chairman Billy Payne.
"These accomplished women share our passion for the game of golf and both are well known and respected by our membership. It will be a proud moment when we present Condoleezza and Darla their Green Jackets when the club opens this Fall."
Rice, 57, served as the national security adviser in George Bush's first term, before becoming Secretary of State in his second. She is currently a professor of political economy at Stanford University.
"I am delighted and honoured to be a member of Augusta National Golf Club," she said.
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"I have visited Augusta National on several occasions and look forward to playing golf, renewing friendships and forming new ones through this very special opportunity."
Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x
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