First female members at Augusta

The all male exclusive Augusta National Golf club in the US has opened its doors to women by announcing that former American secretary of state Condoleezza Rice and business executive Darla Moore will be its first two women members.

Augusta, home of the US Masters since it started in 1934 issued a statement saying that “this was a joyous occasion as we enthusiastically welcome both women as members of Augusta National Golf Club”.

Club chairman Billy Payne went on to say: “It will be a proud moment when we present Condoleezza and Darla their green jackets when the club opens this fall.”

Rice is now professor of political economy at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business having previously worked for US President George W Bush as national security advisor and later as secretary of state.