The US Masters gets under way at Augusta later today.  The build up to the event has been marked by storms of a meteorological and commercial nature.
Yesterday’s warm up Par 3 competition was cut short due to storms and heavy rain leaving Padraig Harrington declared the winner on five under par.  It is the third time Harrington has won the event though it comes with a burden, the winner never having gone on to land the main event.  Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy both skipped this year’s event.
Away from the fairways neither the Augusta National Club nor IBM have commented on the row over whether IBM’s Virginia Rometty will become the first woman member at the club or the first IBM CEO not to be invited because of the private members male only policy of the club.
Commentary across the business media in the US has focused on the ‘special’ place which the Masters holds and on partnership with the event being seen, despite its estimated €10 million a year cost, as being the most desired in sport.
Whether this is enough of a reason to ignore such blatant discrimination on gender lines is an issue which IBM may have to face if no resolution is found.  Perhaps the greatest disappointment of the whole episode is that Rometty’s tenure will now always reference this particular episode as opposed to whether or not she is a capable business leader.
Contact rob@sportsforbusiness2.ab6z.com if you would like to participate in the Sport for Business Members Round Table event on Women in Sport in May 31st.
Thursday’s other stories
Irish Sports Council funding announcement for 2012
Cricket Ireland signs four year deal with RSA