Eisenhower Pine Doesn't Survive Ice Storm

((HT: Scott Michaux/Augusta Chronicle))

For twenty golf-playing years, President Dwight Eisenhower lobbied to have a particular pine tree on the 17th hole removed...

This one...
((HT: Augusta National Golf Club/CBS))


In 1956, he wanted it down and told a meeting of the club so...
Even former US presidents don't get their way in Augusta...

But Augusta National chairman Billy Payne confirmed to Michaux that the tree did not survive the recent ice storm in east Georgia, so it looks like Ike got his wish anyway:

"The loss of the Eisenhower Tree is difficult news to accept," Payne said. "We obtained opinions from the best arborists available and, unfortunately, were advised that no recovery was possible."

So, now what...???

There's talk that there was already a substitute tree ready for implantation onto the 17th, but no one knows if the tree that may or may not exist has survived the ice storm or was or was not even be effected...

Got that...???

DEVELOPING: Augusta Admits First Two Women Members

The Augusta National Golf Club, home of The Masters golf tournament, has admitted its first 2 women members: Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Darla Moore.

Moore is the vice president of Rainwater, Incorporated, a private investment company and is involved in non-profit work in the state of South Carolina as well...

Augusta national chair Billy Payne issued a statement that read in part:

"This is a joyous occasion as we enthusiastically welcome Secretary Condoleezza Rice and Darla Moore as members of Augusta National Golf Club. We are fortunate to consider many qualified candidates for membership at Augusta National. Consideration with regard to any candidate is deliberate, held in strict confidence and always takes place over an extended period of time. The process for Condoleezza and Darla was no different.

"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.

"This is a significant and positive time in our Club's history and, on behalf of our membership, I wanted to take this opportunity to welcome them and all of our new members into the Augusta National family."

Here's early returns from our friends at WRDW-TV in Augusta


More when we know more...

Billy Payne's View Of The Future

((HT: WJBF-TV Augusta))

It is Wednesday in Augusta- which means that it's time for the Chairman of the Augusta National Golf Club, William Porter Payne, Junior to give his State of the State address...

FOSG Brad Means was around for the vision of the future- but not disclosing when change will happen...


The HQ thinks that the yearly jousting among Payne and the assembled press corps is amusing. We covered it through Hootie and Billy both and it is humorous to see the flailing...

It's the Club's presser, the Club's tournament, and it's up to a private club to determine their own path. Regardless of what those around think that private entities ought to do...

That's why they're private...