And, I predict that Rometty has recently or need that invitation. I predict that at some point through the tournament, Ginni (as she actually is also known as) will appear wearing an eco-friendly jacket emblematic of her membership. A number of reporters and articles will herald or bemoan the big event. But it is also my prediction that, apart from its policies regarding CEO's of major sponsors, Augusta National can make no adjustments to its male-only membership policy. The perfect storm will have passed over Amen Corner as well as the waters will calm.

Being a private club Augusta National has chosen to get male-only which, lawfully it can be permitted to do. Membership is as simple as invitation-only. The club accepts no applications which is Titleist 910F-D Fairway Wood reported to own about 300 male members. Women may take part in the course and make use of the dining-room, presumably associated with male members.

You might remember the 2002 Martha Burk challenge to Augusta as being a "male-only" private club. Many readers could also remember the then-president of Augusta, Hootie Johnson, on the grounds that women could become members "in due time," and his awesome equally famous comment who's won't occur in response to a "bayonet charge" - code for "because of Martha Burk." Augusta firmly maintained and continues the privacy and gender-exclusivity of the membership policy.

However, as well as its regular invites to potential members, which can be secret and totally unpublicized, it's been the club's practice to invite the CEOs of the major sponsors to get members, an extremely nice gesture, indeed. The "major-sponsor-membership" resembles special-honorary category. That is certainly important to bear in mind.

There is nothing secret in regards to the long-time major corporate sponsors from the Masters. The world is aware that Mizuno MX-1000 irons the CEOs of IBM, AT&T and Exxon Mobil have been invited being members when named for their leadership positions, even though it may be possible that they has been invited in spite of their executive status.

Earlier times four CEOs of IBM were invited for being members. These folks were sized for their green jackets, invited to members-only events and sat in around the closing ceremonies if the new Masters champion slipped into his new green jacket. And IBM is definitely an important sponsor due to its role in providing every one of the technology for the tournament's operations.

Rometty apparently prefers scuba-diving. I have scuba-dived and possess no doubts how the calm and concentration forced to dive doesn't only serve her well as CEO but additionally around the course, should she decide to play more golf later on.

How come I predict that Augusta National will extend the invitation to Rometty? The very first reason is easy: she actually is the CEO of IBM. Such as the game of golf itself, Augusta National lives by a code of honor. It's got previously invited IBM's male CEOs, and gender makes no difference with this special membership category. The down-side of saying "a female CEO of IBM is just not comparable to a male CEO" just wouldn't be acceptable today. If Hootie Johnson was looking for his "due time," this is the time.

She may possibly also accept the invitation to be a member yet still arrange being away in a few days. That will avoid any photos of Rometty in their own green jacket. Nonetheless it could be discount golf clubs awkward to get a senior IBM executive standing in on her behalf in the closing televised ceremonies sitting near the CEOs of AT&T and Exxon Mobil.

The other final prediction: With the news conference Billy Payne - the actual chairman of Augusta National and also the Masters - holds on Wednesday, April 4th, he'll surely get asked about Ginni Rometty. I expect he will answer the question. It's my prediction he will thank IBM for its sponsorship and bring that Ginni Rometty, the CEO of IBM, has become a part of Augusta National. And he will add "no further comment."

embarrassment to Augusta National Golf Club

This time, every word in the previous sentence should be taken literally.

The club has faced scads of global scorn over time for the antiquated membership policies, first since it in connection with minorities, and much more recently, to women. An account released Monday by Bloomberg News brought back bad memories of all of the screaming headlines.

The latest quandary is perhaps the stickiest yet. Historically, while for women who live never been able to join, the club has invited the sitting chairman of IBM to be a member.

By staying with one policy, it finally abolishes another. A straightforward out.

This one hits ANGC right where it Ping G20 irons matters most -- in the midsection and wallet. IBM is amongst the tournament's three corporate sponsors as well as the company has a cabin on the grounds during Masters tournament week, Bloomberg noted. The corporation runs the Masters website, mobile-phone applications and media-center technology.

In fact, it absolutely was Decade ago a well-intentioned letter from Martha Burk of the National Council of Women's Organizations reached club headquarters, inviting officials to fulfill and discuss the gender barrier. The chairman during the time, Hootie Johnson, reacted by making use of nuclear warheads.

Johnson issued a scathing response which was released nationally, promising that this club would not change its admissions policy, even under threat at the "point of an bayonet." Burk's protest temporarily cost the club a few sponsors and created greater than a small ripple, but Decade later, little has visibly changed.

That one seems inescapable. Payne, the existing chairman along with a former head with the Atlanta Olympic Committee, is known as a progressive thinker. If he doesn't offer Rometty a membership, the blowback could be considerable. All things considered, when the head honcho at IBM has been offered a subscription as a de facto policy, then neglecting to offer Rometty an environmentally friendly jacket will smack of sexism at its ping g15 irons coarsest level.

Augusta doesn't touch upon membership policies, though Payne is scheduled to take care of the media next Wednesday for the eve in the tournament. Payne has become on the fore of myriad cutting-edge technologies as the chairman, boosting the tournament Internet presence, securing broadcast outlets in countries and beginning an amateur (men's) tournament in Asia to aid grow the game.

But in terms of females, the club feels stuck inside suffrage era. It is not as bad as some clubs, like Pine Valley, where women are not even allowed for the reason, but Pine Valley doesn't host a PGA Tour-sanctioned tournament offering public access. Amazingly, Augusta National didn't put in a black member until Ron Townsend joined in 1990.

Though rapid ejaculation certain to certainly be a subject that's kicked around publicly, it'll be settled privately. Eventually, at a future Masters, a lady will probably be spotted wearing a natural discount golf clubs jacket, which could represent the first time outsiders learn that the gender barrier has been breeched.

Payne can be a tremendously media-savvy guy who actually enjoys the spotlight and darned likely knows as part of his soul that the policy is damaging, archaic and largely indefensible, especially among his younger members.

Yani Tseng won the second straight LPGA Tour title

"Today the first hole I recently form of felt as with day is identical," Tseng said. "I didn't think that today was Sunday. I didn't feel like I had created a three-shot lead. I just devoted to playing one shot at the same time. I think Used to a good job to only type of focus on myself."

The 23-year-old Taiwanese star led wire-to-wire and finished at 14-under 274 on La Costa's Legends Course. She became the second-youngest player to reach 15 LPGA Tour win.Nancy Lopez was 22 when she reached the objective.

"I believe that it is her work TaylorMade RocketBallZ fairway wood ethic," said Brittany Lincicome, 11 shots back at 3 under. "She has put plenty of effort into being No. 1. She's got definitely raised the bar throughout us."

South Korea's Sun Young Yoo were built with a 71 to complete second.

"I think I played great," Yoo said. "I just didn't make short ones available. It was too bumpy. She (Tseng) played great. Nothing is I'm able to say. Yeah, it turned out fun to look at."

Shanshan Feng shot a 67 ?a the best round during the day ?a to tie for third with South Korea's Jiyai Shin at 7 under. Shin were built with a 74.

Shin began the round using a three-stroke lead over Shin. The straight-hitting Shin birdied the 2nd hole to drag within one, but struggled with her putter, missing par ties of three feet or closer on Nos. 6, 12 and 15.

Tseng chipped set for birdie on the par-4 fifth and also birdied the par-4 ninth. She developed a 15-foot birdie TaylorMade RocketBallZ Driver putt on the par-4 15th and took a six-stroke lead when Shin bogeyed the par-4 16th.

Tseng stood a three-putt bogey from 30 feet around the final hole, her only three-putt green of every week.

The Kraft Nabisco Championship, the first major of year, is in the future at Mission Hills in Rancho Mirage. Last year, Tseng had the 54-hole lead, but closed having a 74 and lost to Stacy Lewis. It was the very last time in seven events that Tseng has lost commencing the ultimate discount golf clubs round while using lead.

"I was very, very close recently," Tseng said. "But while i reminisce, I was delighted that I didn't win because that is why I'm learning. Should you keep winning, you do not know the pain you are planning to learn.

Riverside Golf Course move on with more budget

Councilwoman Denise Rangel said as the course is owned by the town, it can be their job to deal with it.

"We've had several floods and many droughts," Rangel said. "The weather has brought its toll around the grass."

Soliz said the greens should foot into your market, not the location. In the event the issue was first exposed to council's attention, Soliz referred to as project "maintenance" not "capital improvement."

Other council members urged the discount golf clubs nonprofit committee that runs the greens to begin preparing in advance for giant future expenses.

"Put money aside for anyone objectives," Councilman David Hagan said. "Plan far enough in advance and that means you don't need to put yourself in so much of a dent."

Councilman Joe Truman said the course's fees and memberships ought to be adjusted hence the committee doesn't need to come back to the council for financial support.

"Fees are supposed to cover operating and management expenses," Truman said. "Please come up with various ways to fund it."

Robert DeLeon, who chairs the nonprofit committee, said when they raise fees, many, particularly junior and senior golfers, "would suffer."

"Looking at exactly what it would cost to get rid of even, some individuals couldn't survive capable to play, and that's not our goal," DeLeon said. "There's undoubtedly we're able to raise fees to callaway razr x irons where we attract the bucks ... We want to keep your course affordable so anyone inside city can start to play."

Regular annual dues, for golfers age 19-65, cost $600. Junior golfers, age 5-18, pay $200 annually while golfers more than 65 pay $550 annually. Daily fees range between $18 during weekdays and $20 on weekends, in line with the course's website.

Mayor Will Armstrong welcomed the golf course committee back to the council once they need another 9-holes refurbished. He was quoted saying he would "seriously entertain" another request.

"I such as the idea that the course is open to so many people," he was quoted saying. "This is one kind of our most treasured aspects with this community."

In other news, the council agreed to move forward over a report from your planning services department to setup a railroad quiet callaway diablo edge irons zone near an apartment development on Ben Wilson Street.

Assistant City Manager John Kaminski, the former planning services director, said the complex's developer agreed to split the $55,000 cost with all the city.

Kaminski said the project would not affect University of Houston-Victoria's future dormitory plans. Actually, the university expressed an interest in partnering using the city to incorporate the Ben Jordan crossing inside the quiet zone.

That crossing may not match the federal quiet zone guidelines because nearby driveways and intersections help it become "physically impossible," Kaminski said.

However, he explained the quiet zone might be extended nearly three miles, over a half-mile zone for Ben Wilson crossing alone.

Donald won the tournament again

Even though we knew deep-down that McIlroy wasn't effective at truly separating himself through the remaining portion of the world's best players, many us do see him as perennial figure on top of the entire world ranking.

He's definitely there but same goes with Donald, who at 34 yrs . old provides extensive golf left in him. So for the present time we ought to defer any grand proclamations about that's actually the best golfer in the world. Had McIlroy played this week he might have won and stayed along with the heap, but he is not playing again before the Masters.

This became Donald's last chance before he goes on a 2 week break before Augusta to shore up his confidence for any concerted effort in 2012 to win his initial. The Transitions was his fifth PGA Tour win, however it have to have recently been a large morale booster after he been discount golf clubs seemingly cast aside for your young exuberance from the 22-year-old from Holywood, Northern Ireland.

McIlroy's remain at No. 1 was just for just two weeks, but enough for Donald to become reminded in the fleeting judgments and short attention spans of golf fans and the media.

Ultimately, Donald's win in the Transitions would be a game changer definitely, nevertheless it was mostly a reminder that No. One out of the globe isn't exactly what it was once understanding that 2012 offers to still deliver exciting and dramatic surprises on a weekly basis.

Hard
Within the final round in the Transitions Championship, Ernie Els missed a 4-foot putt at the 18th hole that might have gotten him right into a playoff. Victory would've earned him an invitation for the Masters. The 42-year-old South African hasn't missed a Masters since Bernhard Langer won his second Green Jacket there in 1993.

Harig: Els' Sunday Stumble

Bob Harig Ernie Els had that Masters invite in the grasp, just to watch it slip away using a bogey-bogey finish Sunday, writes ESPN.com's Bob Harig. Column

Through 70 holes it looked as if Els would earn his 19th visit to the hallowed grounds of Augusta National, but he made bogey about the 17th hole after hitting a block-slice 4-iron from the tee to the woods. Suddenly Els' bogey gave five other players a share of the lead Mizuno MP-59 Iron sat 13 under par. Then Els' short miss in the 72nd hole would seal his fate, leaving the entranceway open for Luke Donald to win in the four-way playoff.

Els says he can play the next a couple weeks from exploding Hill and Houston to get into the Masters. But should he have to work this difficult to make the sector at Augusta?

The Masters has got the smallest field of all the so-called majors. Last year's 99 players was the biggest field in the tournament since 1996 along with the fourth biggest inside the 75-year reputation the big event. But the Augusta National leadership didn't notice being a indication of progress. To them a small field is keeping with the spirit of Bobby Jones' vision in the tournament as a very intimate gathering of the most useful Mizuno MP-69 Irons players on the globe.

Billy Payne, the club's chairman, called the number "borderline" and dangerously near to unmanageable.

"We offer an trouble with daylight obviously at this time," said Fred Ridley, the chairman from the tournament's competition committee. "Our pace of play is 4 hours and 38 minutes, but you know from past observations that it is over that.

"To me, it is very important to present something time for golf because golf has given me my way through my entire life," the Malaga native said the 2009 week. "So I wish to ensure the golfers have somewhere to play and it's necessary for me they play within Andaluc aa."

On Sunday, Jimenez were built with a lackluster 1-under-par 71 to end in a tie for seventh within the sixth playing with the AndalucOpen on the Aloha Course. He was looking to become the oldest European Tour winner.

But, Julian Quesne, a 31-year-old Frenchman, shot a final-round 64 to have his first tour win. Quesne earned roughly $220,000 from the $1.3 million purse, one of several smallest about the European Tour.

Still, Jimenez is often a hero to his tour also to the Andaluc region. The late Seve Ballesteros, who Jimenez assisted when he was European Ryder Cup team captain in 1997 at Valderrama, would be proud of the workhas been doing amongst gamers.

Achilles problems for Tiger woods

Has this become Woods' new normal? While golf fans are already watching to see whether Woods' revamped swing hold up under Sunday pressure, it's his body that presenting problems providing strength to.

Woods' early departure Sunday from the WGC-Cadillac Championship marked another amount of time in as many years he has had to withdraw prior to finish line because of injury. If he has to take himself out from the field for next week's Arnold Palmer Invitational, it will mark the TaylorMade RocketBallZ fairway wood sixth straight year his schedule contains an unplanned gap.

Remember, exactly the same tendon was central to Woods missing better part of four months down the middle of last season. That included two majors ?a events in which he's been considered undeterred by way of a doctor's recommendation.

Maybe this place is minor. Which is the impression he gave late Monday when he disclosed to Twitter followers that they was told it's a minor strain. Several days of rest and ice, and the man might be hitting balls again this weekend.

"It's not inconceivable which he could be all set in a single week ?a but that's probably optimistic," said Phillip Kwong, 12 inches and ankle specialist at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in L . a ..

With a rehab program, Kwong said, the recovery time for any Grade 1 strain is two to one month. That will not simply knock out Arnie's Place, but also run strait into his Masters prep. And also the Tiger Watch begins yet again.

Don't forget, Woods' hiatus last year began with TaylorMade RocketBallZ Driver what was termed a "minor" sprain.

Still unanswered is the place where the Achilles flared up seemingly with no warning. And Achilles injuries aren't often linked to golfers.

Wrists? Sure. Backs? Of course. Hands, elbows, hips, knees? All of the above. Achilles tendons? Running, jumping and quick changes of direction create those injuries.

Kwong said a straightforward geton flat ground puts stress of approximately 1 1/2 times you weight on the tendon. He doesn't have enough casework to convey just how much strain originates from the load shift of an swing movement.

Questions arise about Woods' adoration for running; he injured his right Achilles doing that in 2008. And as almost as much ast Woods does not want to travel there, it's tough to disregard recent discount golf clubs words written by former swing coach Hank Haney.

Woods' four days in 2004 at Fort Bragg, N.C., Haney wrote as part of his upcoming book, had his physiotherapist going "a little crazy worrying about the further damage Tiger could be doing to his left knee."

It doesn't aspect in whatever other military exercises Haney claims ?a and Woods is mum about ?a that Woods may have took part in later. They run and jump a great deal in the military.

an amazing show of birdies from Bubba Waston

"They did everything right," Wilson said. "It was among the better golf I have come across collectively bewteen barefoot and shoes."

Watson was at 12-under 132 and may get to play again within the final group Saturday with Rose, who were required to settle for a 64.

"Maybe they've been cutting the hole a little bigger," Rose said.

Regardless of the steady wind, there have been a good amount of low scores around the Blue Monster. The average score was 69.9, close to three strokes easier as opposed to opening round. There have been 12 Taylormade Rocketballz Irons scores in the 60s on Thursday, and 31 of them Friday.

Tiger Woods played bogey-free for any 67 and lost ground. He moved up the leaderboard, but is seven shots behind entering the weekend, with 14 players ahead of him.

"This will be the highest score I possibly could have shot today, definitely," Woods said.

Rory McIlroy, in his first tournament because the marketplace No. 1, managed a 69 and fell 10 shots from the lead.

Perhaps most peculiar about Watson being atop the leaderboard at Doral is the fact that he doesn't really much like the course. Without many trees apart from the waving palms, he can't figure out where he's allowed to be punching the ball. But he kept hitting it long, had short irons to the greens and made his share of putts. That works well almost anyplace.

He am far left in the sixth fairway, that the tree was blocking his way to the green. Watson had only 135 yards for the hole, but rather than playing a iron wedge, he hit 9-iron and aimed it some 20 yards right in the green, slicing it into the left-to-right wind past the hole until the wind pushed it back on the descent. It landed 6 feet through the cup.

His caddie, Ted Scott, keeps notes within the yardage book of how Watson plays each hole in most round. Near TaylorMade R11S Driver the 9-iron from 135 yards, he invest parentheses, "Wow."

Watson was in the fairway on the par-5 eighth, though the best route to the green was around a palm tree close to the ropes where the photographers were camped out.

"I took it right the fringe of that tree. There exists a little tree there and it actually nicked that limb somewhat," Watson said. "I hit becoming hard because i could, simply a low, what everybody calls a stinger. Hit as hard while i could low and knew it was not likely to slice. So that all I used to be protecting was the draw and yes it went dead straight and came off perfect. And the rest is history."

He went from one shot behind to at least one shot in front of Rose, who had not even attempt to apologize about his 64. Rose, who contended yesterday inside wind on the Honda Classic, ran off four birdies in a very five-hole stretch across the turn, the exception beginning the 18th.

"I don't let it influence my idea, just how I play in the the game, but definitely you keep one eye on him just away from interest," Rose said. "He's a great guy to look at play golf. When he hits tee shots, there is a bit of disbelief and stuff like that, or he curves discount golf clubs one, starts one inch the trees and there is 'Ooohing' and 'Aahhhing' if this extends back in to the fairways.

"No one knows what to prepare for and I think it's fascinating to look at."

Despite the tees moved slightly forward and slightly less wind, the par-4 18th still played difficult. There were five birdies, in contrast to only two birdies within the opening round.

Adam Scott had one, holing a 20-foot putt to get a birdie-birdie finish that allowed him to recuperate from a double bogey about the eighth hole. He shot a 68 and was at 10-under 134, two shots out of the lead.

"Right where I want to be," Scott said. "The guys shot some unbelievably good scores available today, and so i knew on that back nine because i was type of falling a long way behind, I needed to step it, and i also was happy the putter really came through to me. Tomorrow, I'm just going to need to be really sharp, due to there being undoubtedly again you will find likely to be low scores on the market."

Peter Hanson, who reached the quarterfinals in the Match Play Championship, took another step toward attempting to secure a PGA Tour card. He had a 65 and was alone in fourth nowadays Golf Championship.

Have a tour to Portarlington Golf Club

Before this, those mug hackers I discussed played their usual weekly rounds. Tuesday stableford where Max Boyle (41 points) held out Peter Taylor for trophy of the day; each won their respective grades while Neil Ryan took C Grade with 38 points and Doug Cook accumulated with 37 points. NTPs were Colin Isbel, Frank Wheat and Luke Jacimovic.

To Ladies Wednesday, and a stableford round. Susan May outshone the field with 40 points applying for C Grade. Judith Webber claimed A Grade with 38 points and VC Chris Cunningham was the B Titleist 910F-D Fairway Wood Grade winner with 35 points. NTPs were Vicki Hamilton and Megan Siotis. Heather Walley pocketed the B Grade ProPin while Sue Hazell filled our coffers for her win in A Grade.

Thursday, soon after very humid days saw the beginning of some ordinary weather although David Kirk thought it was OK patiently waiting Peter Coles with a count-back for top level spot, both 39. Ladies best was Colleen Butler with 31.

Friday nine-holers had Digby Issell winning with 32 while Lyn Spence was ladies winner with 37. Saturday would have been a whole other story. The weathermen predicted some terrible weather and unfortunately these folks were i'm all over this. Since the day progressed, members had to have their names over list, however, you will Titleist 910 D2 Driver always find several tragics, myself included. Ten ladies tried their luck with Yvonne Casey returning a credible score of 74 with Lou Blomley runner-up with 75. NTPs were Angela Foott and Yvonne Casey while Ange also shot the best gross (93) and Lou putted well considering, with 30.

Without having clear winner, but a four-way playoff next stroke round. Matt Wilson, John Cranston, on a count-back from Richard Hassett, and Arthur McPhee all returned a high score of 69 nett. Ray King rounded out your grade wins with 70 in C Grade. Ken Hughes, Peter Nash and discount golf clubs Scott Hennigan shot the NTPs while Bob Svorinich took the ProPin.

Sunday was the club?¡¥s official opening day for season 2012 with all the members playing for the Taffy and Jean Carpenter trophy using a mixed Pinehurst Foursomes. 2012 winners were Peter Coles and Kathy Carroll with a fabulous 69.75.

Woods twice lost momentum with sloppy bogeys

"It was pretty stress-free out there," McIlroy said. "I hit quite a few fairways and a lot of greens and gave myself a lot of chances, and that's sort of what you need to do around this golf course."

Love opened with four pars until he reached the par-5 fifth, where he hit a hard 5-iron that drew gently toward the flag, and the next thing he heard was wild cheering from around the green.

"I knew when we were on the range this callaway ft-iz driver morning that early scores were going to be better, and you'd better get off to a good start," Love said. "I was parring along there, had not made a birdie yet then all of a sudden was 2 under. So that was a big boost."

It helped that PGA National was more benign than usual.

Because of rain Wednesday and the possibility of some afternoon showers, players were able to lift, clean and place their golf balls in the fairway, which always helps. The greens were smooth in the morning, another advantage. And there wasn't much wind.

Ryan Palmer, Justin Rose, Martin Flores, Kevin Stadler and Dicky Pride, whose top 10 in Mexico last week got him into the Honda Classic, joined McIlroy at 66. PGA champion ping rapture v2 irons Keegan Bradley was among those at 67.

Bradley played with McIlroy and Phoenix Open winner Kyle Stanley. Their games are so similar that after their opening tee shots at No. 10, their tee shots landed in a line next to each other, separated by no more than five paces.

Stanley struggled to a 75, brought on by three consecutive three-putts early in the round.

Bradley and McIlroy surged ahead, and Bradley looked forward to more occasions like that.

"I love playing with Rory for a lot of reasons," he said. "We're both very competitive, and I like the kid. He's just a good kid, a good Irish kid."

The 25-year-old Bradley was reminded that the kid was only three years younger.

But there seems to be an appreciation that McIlroy soon could be the guy against whom players measure themselves. Bradley was a two-time winner discount golf clubs last year as a rookie, and his work on the short game -- particularly his chipping -- appears to be paying off. There were several holes where Bradley turned potential trouble into an easy par.

"There's nothing more in the game of golf that makes me feel good than chipping up close," he said. "It's better than making a 50-foot bomb or hitting a 300-yard drive. It's been the different between being in the middle of the pack and contending."