Martha Burk worked hard to get Augusta National to admit a female member

"I think they're in a bind," Martha Burk told The Associated Press Thursday evening.

Ten years ago, Burk applied pressure on just about everyone connected with Augusta National along with the Masters, the most important championship that garners the highest TV ratings. She demanded that four companies drop their television sponsorship as a result of discrimination. She lobbied PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem to never recognize the Masters included in the tour schedule.

Hootie Johnson, chairman in the club at the time, said Augusta might some day have a very female member, but it would be about the club's timetable, and "not at the point of a bayonet." The protest callaway razr x irons fizzled inside a parking lot outside in the third round from the 2003 tournament.

"We did boost the issue," Burk said on CNN. "If there were not done that, this may not be shared now."

Now it's back, this also who's has a face -- Rometty, a 31-year veteran of IBM who has been ranked one of many "50 Most Powerful Women in Business" by Fortune magazine the past seven years. Rometty was not. 7 a year ago.

Augusta National has declined to comment, keeping with its policy of not discussing membership issues. IBM have not commented publicly, and didn't return a trip through the AP Thursday night.

"IBM is in a larger bind compared to the club," Burk said. "The club trashed their image in years past. IBM can be a corporation. They need to worry about the company, and so they really should value what folks think. And if they aren't careful, they could undermine their new CEO."

Augusta has a new chairman in Billy Payne, who ran the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. As he replaced Johnson as chairman in the club and also the Masters tournament in 2006, he explained there were "no specific timetable" for admitting women.

The question spent my youth at the 2007 and 2010 Masters. Both times, Payne said membership issues callaway x-24 hot irons were private.

"They must not pull that argument they keep the tournament and not the club. That will not fool anybody, and so they could undermine their new CEO."

Rometty succeeds Sam Palmissano at IBM, which runs the Masters' website through the bottom floor with the media center. Based on a subscriber base authored by USA Today in 2002, the last three CEOs also were members -- Louis Gertsner, John Akers and John Open.

Because the corporate sponsors took over as target, Johnson wound up eradicating TV sponsorship for 2 years with the Masters to help keep the organization partners -- IBM, Coca-Cola and Citigroup -- out of your fray. Only IBM returned being a TV sponsor to the 2005 Masters. The rest were SBC Communications and ExxonMobil.

Burk said she would not surprised if IBM pressured Rometty to state she doesn't want to be a member.

"Really, I would not think it's her responsibility," Burk said. "It's the board of directors. They must take action here. They don't really should put that for my child. They should say, 'discount golf clubs is wrong. We thought the club was near making changes several years ago, and that we regretfully end our sponsorship to maintain her credibility and the company brand.' "

Augusta National doesn't ban women. They could have fun playing the greens, but no woman has worn an Augusta green jacket, a status symbol running a business and golf. Rometty has been said the sport of golf sparingly. Her greater passion is deep-sea diving.

Sheila built Grand Golf Resorts of Florida

Johnson also wants an LPGA Tour event that might rotate among her three resorts.

The main element, much like Innisbrook, is choosing the best sponsor.

I think we're activities like the now where sponsors decide to make us benefit their, she said. It's an instance of looking to position the right package together, and finding the right sponsor that believes inside sport.

She sounded optimistic, and said hello was possible to have a conference in 2013.

Johnson, though, is looking Taylormade R11 driver beyond tournaments. She was in the PGA Merchandise show in January, meeting the apparatus companies about apparel and with the PGA of America relating to Golf 2.0 program, which includes an effort to draw in women.

Golf is at a transition. The situation is beginning pick-up again, Johnson said. The PGA has recognized that we've got a chance to get women in to the game of golf. It's a fantastic revenue source. I'm taking it upon myself with my properties to get that commitment and excitement.

Annika Sorenstam held a clinic during the Transitions Championship at Innisbrook, and Johnson referred to the Swede as being a partner in her own projects. Sorenstam comes with an Annika Academy at Reunion, and Johnson said Sorenstam could be making appearances at other resorts.

Sorenstam asked Johnson being to be with her board, without knowing the billionaire was at the whole callaway diablo edge irons process of buying Reunion.

?Three weeks later, I shared with her and she about jumped out of her skin, Johnson said. We get along very well. We're capable to concentrate on her goals and missions, which marry on top of mine. We want to bring more junior programs out here. We've reached begin to build from your foundation.

Johnson didn't make any hard sells when she met with equipment companies on the merchandise show. At this time, it's about building relationships. Nearly all of her work, however, will require place with the resorts.

There are a number of holes everywhere which need plugged, she said.

Johnson, who also serves on the discount golf clubs board with the Sergio garcia Foundation, plays just a little golf herself. And she or he has been to the Masters, which she termed as a bucket-list experience. She was the guest of former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in '09 but happened to be the full tour of Augusta National ?a a look within the Eisenhower cabin, lunch inside clubhouse.

great relationships at golf course

When answering a matter raised by Open Champion, Darren Clarke, and iconic player manager, Chubby Chandler, at the Australian PGA Championship in November of 2011, Batibasaga could not have imagined that their initial dialogue would potentially build his professional career.

About the driving range at Hyatt Regency Coolum just before his opening round from the event, Batibasaga hadn't even noticed Clarke and Chandler walking behind him as Clarke prepared to practice after his disappointing opening round earlier within the day.

That Batibasaga was even playing in the tournament adds another element to this story and additional highlights the random nature from the meeting. Batisbasaga had shot 62 in pre qualifying in the Wynnum Club in Brisbane around the Monday to secure certainly one of just Ping G20 irons three places which is available from an area of 105 as well venue to view the big event.

Batibasaga recalls what actually transpired a few momemts after Clarke and Chandler arrived on the practice fairway. I was starting to warm up and after a few years Darren yells out to me ?Why don't you do have a (expletive) big bag together with your (expletive) name on it

Clearly Clarke am taken using what he was seeing of Batibasaga's ball striking and stylish golf swing that he could not believe he was watching an uncontracted player a treadmill who hadn't bothered to set a name with the bag for identification purposes.

Initially a little taken aback from the comment from one in the game's superstars, Batibasaga responded. Mate I am just a rookie beginning, I am a big fan of yours this will let you great week."

Clarke would go on point out that that was ab muscles reason he needed his name about the bag.

Still a little in awe from the circumstances Batibasaga said, "Thanks mate and (again) to get a good week.

Fortunately for Batisbasaga, his Gold Coast based coach, Kevin Healey, ended up observing Clarke and Chandler watching his Ping G20 driver client and was conscious they was impressed by whatever they were witnessing.

Healey uses up the storyplot. Chubby was having a coffee and a pie and Darren was having a cigar and as well as a coffee so that as Rika worked his way through his bag I could see they were watching. He was hitting it well so you could sense these folks were taking notice.

As Rika got a chance to the more clubs it was then that Darren shouted out, inside a complimentary way, about his name around the bag.

As Batibasaga left the stove Chandler called Healey aside and asked if he was Batibasaga's coach. When that has been confirmed Chandler called for more information beginning with the unusual name, which in itself would have been a tricky one, but clearly Chandler ended up stunned at what he'd seen and planned to find out more concerning this talented unknown.

Clarke chimed in when this occurs. That kid constitutes a nice move which is pretty impressive ball striking.

Chandler then asked if Healey could email him with some details because he and Clarke were keen to check out discount golf clubs Batibasaga's progress and gave Healey his business card.

I didn't wish to tell Rika immediately as he were built with a tournament to experience and i also was keen to maintain it from him for two days, added Healey. When Rika first heard about it he was clearly excited but we kept things under wraps even as we counseled me somewhat unsure regarding where it could lead and didn't want to get ahead of ourselves.

Woods wanted to tell the world his Achilles was just fine

After testing it throughout a Friday practice session, Woods declared himself good to go for not simply a final tuneup before the first major of the season, but two rounds of exhibition golf at the Tavistock Cup.

That has been a total of six competitive rounds of golf in 1 week ... ever coming back from the strained Achilles.

It sounded crazy, Woods playing a lot golf prior to the Master, after he left Doral which has a limp. Nevertheless the goal all along would have been to get involved the best possible position before heading Augusta, knowning that apparently meant getting into callaway diablo edge irons as numerous reps as you can.

The questions about the Achilles won' doubt continue through the entire week, but Woods certainly left Day One of the Tavistock with numerous positives, such as a 6-under 66 on his own ball (Woods and Albany teammate Justin Rose fired a best-ball 9-under 63).

Now, there is no time over-analyzing Woods' round; it turned out an exhibition match and considering the discount golf clubs only thing at stake is bragging rights, you'd expect all 24 guys within the field to travel after every pin position on the course. Even still, watching him inside the first round, you couldn't help but realize that the limp was gone and the irons were incredibly crisp.

Woods tested the Achilles on numerous occasions, including about the 578-yard 15th hole, where he opted to adhere to Bubba Watson's drive away the tee, ripping a draw within the trees to in a couple yards of Watson's tee shot. When the Achilles was still being a problem, Woods might have certainly taken a less aggressive line off of the tee.

It absolutely was just one of a couple of Ping Anser Forged Irons shots that made you suspect Woods really was being truthful as he said it was only stress.

Just what exactly perform a couple good drives along with a solid round tell us about Woods' health moving forward? Not really a ton. But anyway, the fact he isn't limping and seems to be pursuing the ball needs to mean something inside short-term.

Tiger is ready for Arnold Palmer Invitational

"When it's your day, I could have turned my back for the hole and that i could have holed the putt on the last," Harrington said. "That's the way it's when things are looking for you."

Not much has become going well to the three-time major champion since he last won the Johor Open in October 2010. Though he tinkers endlessly along with his swing, Harrington had trouble scoring.

He's got been utilizing Pete Cowen, as well as in January began seeing Dave Alred, whom he refers to like a practice coach. Alred also in concert with Luke Donald because the Englishman rose to No. One in the globe, though he could be most common in rugby taylormade burner superfast 2.0 fairway wood circles like a kicking coach for the likes of Jonny Wilkinson.

Harrington said all is here practicing which has a purpose, which he has done. He can't work harder. The most difficult thing about this may be looking forward to everything to get together, that's just what happened on the gorgeous day at the Gulf coast of Florida, with just a mild breeze and minimal rough.

A long putt for par he had for hours on end involved 4 feet about the third hole. Harrington hit so many quality shots that they allowed the thought of a 59 to creep into his head. He was 6 under through 10 holes along a fairly easy, uphill birdie putt from 6 feet around the par-5 11th.

"I got regarding this and started thinking, 'If I hole this, I'm 7-under par, seven holes to look, I just need to make five more birdies,'" he stated. "I just became totally away from where I would are actually, hit a bad putt and missed. In case anything, it kind of got the 59 out of my head. To be able almost as much ast Used to choke, it made it easier for all of those other holes."

Harrington said he never shot less than 60 being an amateur, when he went at each flag, before he accrued what he called "fear and damage during my system." He did use a 61 in the Nedbank Challenge about ten years ago, community . didn't count as a course record as it was Ping G20 driver preferred lies on that day.

Stewart Cink and David Toms were among those at 67, while Sergio Garcia a 68.

Innisbrook wasn't easy for everyone. Masters champion Charl Schwartzel opened with a 76, while Matt Kuchar were built with a 73.

Harrington, who rose to No. 3 on the globe three years ago, has fallen to No. 90. He remains qualified to apply for the majors, although reality of how far he has dropped was evident during the last month. He missed the Match Play Championship the first time since 1999, anf the husband has not been entitled to the World Golf Championship at Doral.

"It's not really a wake-up call because it is unlike I could be working any harder, or trying any harder," he was quoted saying. "You think that you're good enough. If a performances aren't good enough, you've got no else responsible. It is just a little frustrating. But I'm working, like all others - working to keep a good attitude and be discount golf clubs patient and allow it to go happen and check out the positives."

That's never been a problem. Even during this slump, Harrington rarely lets a pro-am round pass by as he doesn't invite his amateur partners to lunch. He endorses the Special Olympics, and took time Wednesday in order to meet with one of the athletes, whom he described as being "just very pleased with life, and infectious."

Tiger woods had to leave the WGC because of his injury

"I felt tightness within my left Achilles warm up this morning, and it continued to acquire progressively worse," said Woods, who made three bogeys with out birdies through the final round. "After hitting my tee shot at 12, I decided it was necessary to withdraw. In the past, I might have tried to carry on and play, but this time, I chose to do some tips i thought was necessary."

Woods first suffered an Achilles injury at last year's Masters and tried to return more than 30 days later on the Players Championship, where he withdrew after just nine holes. He later declared that he caused himself a setback by trying to return prematurily ..

Woods, who began your fourth round worldwide Golf Championship event eight strokes behind leader Bubba Watson, missed four months of action this past year after having suffered what was then described as a Grade 1 mild medial collateral ligament strain to his left knee and a mild strain to his left Calf msucles.

The original injury occurred while "hitting a challenging and awkward second shot from your pine straw beneath the Mizuno Mp-63 irons Eisenhower tree left of the fairway at No. 17 throughout the third round in the 2011 Masters," according to his website. Woods tied for fourth because tournament.

"It appeared as if he earned a swing on 12 that actually hurt," said Webb Simpson, who tinkered with Woods throughout the final round. "But he didn't say a tremendous amount. He just said they have to get done. It appeared as if he was in some pain ... maybe his heel was bothering him, something together with his foot. I do not think it's anything serious, but we didn't talk or anything so I don't know the thing it was."

Rory McIlroy, who increased to No. 1 in the globe when he won the Honda Classic a couple weeks ago, was playing within the group behind Woods and watched from your 12th tee as Woods left. To start with, he thought Woods needed a restroom.

"It's a waste as they looked like he was released this season, swinging it really well, playing good, getting himself into contention," McIlroy said. "It's probably just precautionary, but I really hope Mizuno MP 53 Irons he's healthy for your Masters, because obviously it could be an incredible week with him there."

Woods is scheduled to play a two-day exhibition referred to as the Tavistock Cup, March 19-20 in Orlando, then the Arnold Palmer Invitational, that he has won six times. That tournament begins March 22. The Masters, which Woods has won four times, and not since 2005, begins April 5.

Although Woods said he is being affected by an Achilles injury, it really is his left knee that has been most bothersome over time. He has endured four operations for the knee, including reconstructive surgery on a damaged ACL following his 2008 U.S. Open victory. (The Achilles injury that Woods said he suffered in 2008-09 was his right, not his left, as last year's was considered to be.)

That kept him from playing other 2008 season, but he returned last year to win six times for the PGA Tour and another event in Australia.

Recently he has shown solid form after returning in August from your Achilles and knee injury. He finished third in the Australian Open in November, won the Chevron World Challenge, was tied for third as part of his first event this year in Abu Dhabi, then was tied for 15th at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

After getting bounced from your WGC-Accenture Match Play a couple weeks ago inside second round, Woods last Sunday discount golf clubs shot a final-round 62 to finish second to McIlroy in the Honda Classic.

He never finished outside the best in eight previous appearances at Doral, with three victories, including one out of the WGC event.

Woods, who entered a final round at Doral eight strokes back, was asked Saturday about his health, since he was playing his third consecutive event. Asked how his body was providing strength to, Woods said, "Oh, it feels great."

The Tavistock Cup in Lake Nona

Team Isleworth's lineup includes Robert Allenby, Daniel Chopra, Charles Howell III, Sean O'Hair, and newcomers Bo Van Pelt and Bubba Watson.

Defending champion Team Lake Nona is represented by Ben Curtis, Ross Fisher, Retief Goosen, Peter Hanson, Graeme McDowell and Tavistock Cup rookie Gary Woodland.

Team Queenwood comprises of Thomas Bjorn, David Howell, Soren Kjeldsen, newcomer Tom Lewis, Paul callaway diablo edge irons McGinley and Adam Scott.

Collectively, the 4 clubs enjoy an unrivaled depth of talent representing the highest power top-ranked golfers who together have won more than 860 worldwide victories, including 62 major championships since 2011.

Established in 2004, the Tavistock Cup began as a friendly cross-town rivalry between Isleworth and Lake Nona's golf professional members. This year, the Tavistock Cup introduced a four-way competition initially rolling around in its history by attracting two new clubs, Albany and Queenwood.

Defending champion Lake Nona has notched four Tavistock Cup victories in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011. Isleworth won the callaway x-24 hot irons Tavistock Cup in 2004, 2006 and 2008. The 2005 matches between Lake Nona and Isleworth resulted in a tie following a sudden-death playoff. Albany finished second and Queenwood placed fourth in their 2011 Tavistock Cup debuts.

The Tavistock Cup will be played on Lake Nona's Tom Fazio-designed greens recognized as one of his best early designs. The 18-hole championship course continually ranks one of the top residential courses in the world and contains hosted many international tournaments.

Annually, Tavistock Cup contestants play for prize money, team hole-in-one prizes and the title of World Golf and Country Club Champion. Nevertheless the tournament also exists to boost money for philanthropy, having donated over $6.5 million to local, national and discount golf clubs international charities during the last eight years.

The Tavistock Cup matches are getting to be just about the most unique golfing events of year as tickets are not sold to the public. Only club members, sponsors, designated charities and invited guests have the ability to attend the two-day event. Once in, there are no ropes separating the earth's best players from the spectators.

The tournament will likely be broadcast go on the Golf Channel within the U.S., Canada, China and Japan and airs on international affiliates through the entire Uk, Australia, Latin America and South Africa. TavistockCup.com will feature real-time live scoring from the 2012 Tavistock Cup matches.

ABOUT LAKE NONA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB Offering world-class education, exceptional family experiences and outstanding amenities, Lake Nona Golf & Country Club has delivered the best of just living in Central Florida for over 25 years or so. An attractive, international population of members and residents enjoy an energetic lifestyle and also a full social calendar for recreation, celebration and entertainment. Lake Nona's Tom Fazio-designed championship golf course is world-ranked and contains been an everyday host with the PGA TOUR-sanctioned Tavistock Cup. Lake Nona also comes with a newly renovated health and fitness center, guest lodge, tennis courts and pool, year-round children's programming, and also a trio of pristine lakes providing freshwater fishing and boating opportunities.

It was a lot more meaningful the way Mcllroy won

For him being No. 1, Woods said of McIlroy, it's proof of how consistent he's been. That's that which you want to do.

After signing his scorecard, Woods got a bite to nibble on inside clubhouse, where he divided his attention from a television tuned for the Lakers-Heat game then one showing the policy of McIlroy's finish.

Woods, 36, led area of in whole driving ?athe very first time he led in that category since his last tour win in the 2009 BMW Championship ?a and made a Ping G15 Hybrids great deal of putts. His round Sunday bolstered his belief that better days are ahead.

I felt like I've been close to shooting this score or scores similar to this, said Woods, who had closed which has a 75 in their previous stroke-play event, at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Inside tournament before that, inside the United Arab Emirates, Woods posted a final-round 72.

Woods's name for the leader board once rattled the nervous systems of his competitors. But McIlroy did not blink or budge when Woods made an eagle and two birdies on the front nine, because both versions elicited thunderous applause through the throng tailing him.

McIlroy's playing partner, Tom Gillis, a 43-year-old journeyman who's 71 fewer tour titles than Woods, would not blink, either. Gillis closed Ping K15 Hybrids using a 69 to tie Woods at 270.

On Saturday, Gillis dismissed the idea that any golfer may be cowed by another. I always have a remove of that; everybody always talks about how intimidating Tiger is, he was quoted saying. And I'm thinking, he's an excellent player, but it's not like we need to stand there toe foot.

Even in the crucible of competition, McIlroy finds as approachable, which perhaps explains why one fan in the third round asked him what shampoo he used.

After Sunday's round, McIlroy was asked how much time he could stay where he or she is, meaning at golf's summit. He understood the question but chose discount golf clubs to have a very little fun. Glancing at his watch being a man in a rush capture a flight ticket to Nyc, that he was, he explained, Fifteen minutes?