No Change Planned at Augusta

The new leader of Augusta National Golf Club will preserve the old traditions of the Georgia club that annually plays host to the Masters, and that means no female members for the foreseeable future.

Billy Payne, elected last week to succeed Hootie Johnson as club chairman, said Monday during a conference call with reporters that he had no plan to change the club’s male-only membership practice.

“Membership matters, all of them, will be decided by our members, and we have no specific timetable to address that issue,” said Payne, speaking publicly for the first time since he was selected as Johnson’s heir.

In 2003, Augusta National came under fire from the National Council of Women’s Organizations for its male-only membership roster even though the club has no rule specifically prohibiting female members and allows women to play there when accompanied by a member.

Martha Burk, former chairwoman of the National Council of Women’s Organizations, led the charge against Augusta and continues to speak out in favor of a woman being allowed membership. Payne, who ran the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, indicated that he had no plans for communicating with her.

“I think I’m very much aware of her position on all issues as they relate to Augusta National,” Payne said. “And I don’t really see at this time that any dialogue would be meaningful or helpful.”

Burk said it sounded as if Payne were “channeling Hootie.”

Johnson had been adamant in not giving into Burk’s demands, even pulling the plug on sponsorship deals because Burk called for a boycott of any Masters sponsors.

The tournament ran on television without commercials in 2003 and 2004.

“I thought it would be an opportunity for the club to move forward, and it does not sound like that’s the case,” Burk said of Payne’s hiring. “He’s had several years to speak out as a member and clearly did not have the courage to do so. As the chair, I thought his backbone might be a little stiffer.”

Payne, 58, will officially take over May 21 as the sixth chairman in the 73-year history of Augusta National. Payne joined Augusta National in 1997.

Besides the membership controversy, Johnson’s term at the helm will best be remembered for a series of dramatic course changes that lengthened the tournament course 520 yards. Payne said the course was “pretty much like we like it now” but detailed a few minor changes to be made before the 2007 Masters that could make the course play a little shorter.

The tee boxes at Nos. 11 and 15 will be extended forward about seven yards, allowing for more varied tee placements. Also, the fairway on No. 11 will be widened by about five yards, giving shorter hitters more room, and pine needles will take the place of grass under the trees along No. 11, making it more consistent with other holes.

Payne also did not discount the possibility that the Masters may one day require a uniform ball -- an idea proposed by Johnson -- to protect the course from advances in technology.

“We would not take that option off the table in the context of what lengths to which we would go to protect our own course in the future,” Payne said.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.