Billy Payne | Wei Under Par

Feb

16

2014

Augusta National’s Eisenhower Tree falls victim to Mother Nature

By Stephanie Wei under The Masters

Not even President Dwight Eisenhower had enough power to have a tree named in his honor removed from the 17th hole at Augusta National. More than half a century later, Mother Nature prevailed and Ike got his wish.

1 Comment

#2014 Masters, #Augusta National, #Billy Payne, #Eisenhower Tree

Jan

22

2014

Golf brass announces introduction of the Latin America Championship

By Stephanie Wei under Amateur Golf

Following the template started in 2009 when the organizations created the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC), the Masters Tournament, along with the R&A and the USGA, announced the formation of the Latin America Amateur Championship (LAAC), which will debut in 2015.

4 Comments

#Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, #Augusta National, #Billy Payne, #Latin America Amateur Championship, #Mike Davis, #Peter Dawson, #R&A, #The Masters, #USGA

Apr

10

2013

Payne welcomes change to Augusta

By Stephanie Wei under The Masters

Winning Payne

Augusta National Golf Club chairman Billy Payne held court on Wednesday morning in his annual “State of the Masters” press conference. The event lacked the fireworks, awkward drama and antagonistic atmosphere that was prevalent last year when the media confronted Payne on the club’s hypocrisy — he preached about growing junior golf, while Augusta National passively discriminated against 51% of the population in the U.S.

Well, now, the club has two women members in Condoleezza Rice and Darla Moore.

4 Comments

#2013 Masters, #ANGC, #ANGC Chairman, #Augusta National Golf Club, #Billy Payne, #Condoleezza Rice, #Darla Moore, #Masters qualification criteria, #Women members

Apr

8

2013

Lady in Green: Condi Rice pegs it with Phil Mickelson at Augusta

By Stephanie Wei under The Masters

Condi looking lovely in green

For the first time in the history of the Masters tournament, there are women donning green jackets. Last August, Augusta National chairman Billy Payne announced that the prestigious club had invited former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and business executive Darla Moore as its first female members, breaking the ~~dated~~ tradition of the longtime all men’s club.

This week Rice and Moore will sport their spiffy green coats at the Masters. Rice was on the grounds on Sunday (as seen above) and she even got in a round with Phil Mickelson, who couldn’t stop raving about her putting skills, according to The Augusta Chronicle.

5 Comments

#2013 Masters, #Augusta National Golf Club, #Billy Payne, #Condoleezza Rice, #Darla Moore, #Phil Mickelson, #Women in Green

Aug

20

2012

It’s about time: Congrats, Augusta…?

By Stephanie Wei under The Masters

Chairman Payne: Women at last!

Finally–perhaps the understatement of the century (pick one), but Augusta National Golf Club has done away with its sexist Membership policy and accepted not just one woman, but two!

It’s about time.

55 Comments

#Augusta National Golf Club, #Billy Payne, #Condoleeza Rice, #Darla Moore, #Women members

Apr

10

2012

Video: The Big Whiff

By Stephanie Wei under Humor

By now, you’ve probably seen some version of The Awkward Handshake That Shook The World With Laughter, but it really doesn’t get old (and probably never will). I watched it on loop in the press center with awe and marvel, not to mention trying not to fall out of my chair giggling — that would have been totally embarrassing!

Well, the above clip shows Billy Payne going in to shake 2012 Masters champ Bubba Watson’s hand and then getting nothing but air. You see, Bubba started to extend his hand toward the Chairman until he saw the shiny green jacket that Charl Schwartzel was holding, so naturally, Bubba turned to Charl.

11 Comments

#2012 Masters, #Billy Payne, #Bubba Watson, #Bubba Watson Awkward Handshake, #Butler Cabin, #Charl Schwartzel, #Green Jacket Ceremony, #The Big Whiff

Apr

7

2012

Karen Crouse: wronged and wrong in nearly equal measure

By Conor Nagle under The Masters

Billy Payne does his best to ignore the woman in the front row... or not.

The controversy surrounding Augusta National’s refusal to countenance female membership has broken the fourth wall and sparked a high-profile, if localised, revolt within the Masters press corps.

20 Comments

#Augusta National, #Billy Payne, #Controversy, #Karen Crouse, #Masters Tournament, #New York Times, #Sexism, #The Masters 2012

Apr

5

2012

Politicians (including Republicans!) campaign for Augusta to admit women

By Stephanie Wei under The Masters

Romney: No question on extending membership to women

No need for Martha Burk to picket and protest outside the gates at Augusta National anymore (not that it was ever really a productive exercise), big-time politicians, including President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney both think women should be granted membership at the all-male golf club, home of the famed Masters, according to the AP:

9 Comments

#2012 Masters, #All-male membership policy, #Augusta National Golf Club, #Billy Payne, #Karen Crouse, #Mitt Romney, #Newt Gingrich, #President Barack Obama

Apr

4

2012

Billy’s Payne: Augusta National Chairman Grilled About Club’s Male-only Membership Policy

By Brendan Prunty under The Masters

John Mabanglo/EPA

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Once again, the membership at the host club of The Masters is back in the spotlight.

During the annual press conference with Augusta National Golf Club chairman, Billy Payne, the subject of its male-only membership was not only broached, but called into question. In a session with the assembled media which lasted just over 30 minutes, Payne was repeatedly bombarded with questions about why Augusta National not only has yet to admit a female member, but its refusal to answer why.

20 Comments

#Augusta National Golf Club, #Billy Payne, #Ginni Rometty, #Martha Burk

Jan

4

2011

Golf World Mind Explosion: Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12 Features The Masters

By Stephanie Wei under PGA Tour

Shot of Amen Corner from Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12

By now, you’ve likely heard the intriguing yet surprising news: The Masters is opening Augusta National to the gaming public. That’s right. If you have a compatible device (Wii, PlayStation, X-Box etc.), then you can step on those hallowed grounds to play a round. Perhaps the more significant question behind the news is the reason — The powers-that-be have embargoed access to Augusta for so long (media restrictions, long waiting lists even for a ticket, no women members yet, etc.). Why now? Club chairman Billy Payne wants to attract a younger crowd to golf, according to the AP.

4 Comments

#Augusta National, #Billy Payne, #EA Sports, #The Masters, #Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12