Pine Valley’s move vs. right to associate freely
I enjoyed Alex Miceli’s article about Pine Valley and its change in policy regarding women (“If Pine Valley can change, why not other male-only clubs,” May 3).
I am writing from Canada, where I reside, in Toronto. Fortunately, I am a member of two private golf clubs, Mississaugua Golf and Country Club and The Pulpit Club. Both clubs always have admitted women, so this is not an issue that I have had to consider.
I struggle to see this as purely a discrimination issue. The whole concept of any club is that it is a place for certain affiliated or like-minded people. Clubs are exclusionary by their nature.
Here in Toronto, we have the Ladies’ Golf Club of Toronto, which for obvious reasons is for women only. I would not suggest exclusion based on race or religion, as that is not socially acceptable, but I begin to struggle when you go down the list to other factors.
There needs to be a balance between the right of a club to select its own members versus unacceptable policies of exclusion such as race and religion. If I am comfortable with the Ladies’ Golf Club of Toronto and its all-female membership, why should I not be equally comfortable with The National Golf Club of Canadaand its all-male policy?No one has explained that to me.
Reid Farrill
Toronto
PGA Tour players earn their pay
The PGA Tour’s bonus pool has generated some controversy. It reminds me of the adage that any publicity is good publicity. So, the PGA Tour Entertainment Society probably is OK with some criticism (“PGA Tour’s latest move creates a bad look,” April 28).
It appears that some Morning Read readers are outraged, or maybe jealous, because they did not work for an organization that rewarded good work and popularity (“From the Morning Read inbox,” April 28; April 29; May 3). Perhaps the outcry is because most of us did not reach the elite status and expertise in our professions that the 0.01 percent of the golfing population has and therefore are eligible for this large pot of bonus money.
Because the professional golfer is his own CEO and CFO, with work, good play and popularity he might – again, might – get some bonus money.
Unlike players in the NFL, NBA and MLB, professional golfers do not get guaranteed monies via an employment contract with the PGA Tour.
Dave Richner
St. Johns, Fla.
Reader shakes his head at jittery Keegan Bradley
I watched Keegan Bradley back off more shots and putts in one round of the Valspar Championship than most pro golfers do in 30 rounds. I can’t believe that he wasn’t warned or penalized by PGA Tour officials for taking too much time.
The twirling of the club, I can put up with, but that constant backing off two to three times is way too much.
Every golfer has his way of dealing with putts or shots, but Bradley is way over the top.
Arthur Buonopane
Winchester, Mass.
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