Annika Sorenstam was fitted with a green jacket, the winner of 10 women’s majors, and 72 LPGA Tour titles.
Multiple sources, who spoke with Golfweek under the condition of anonymity said that Sorenstam officially became a club member in Augusta National Golf Club this month, when the club opened its doors for the new season. Augusta National Golf Club’s spokesperson declined to comment. Mike McGee Sorenstam’s manager and husband, Mike McGee declined to comment.
Augusta National has always considered membership a private matter. It goes to great lengths in order to keep the list of its members, believed to number around 300. The list includes some of the richest and most powerful businessmen – and women since 2012.
Augusta National began as a club for men only in 1932. The Masters began in 1934. Martha Burk from the National Council of Women’s Organizations demonstrated and ran a campaign about the lack of female members at Augusta National 20 years ago.
In 2012, it took nearly a decade for then-Augusta National chairman Billy Payne to welcome former U.S. secretary of state Condoleezza rice and South Carolina financier Darla Moore.
Se Ri Pak is joined by Lorena Ochoa and Nancy Lopez at the inaugural tee during the final round Augusta National Women’s Amateur. (Photo: Rob Schumacher – USA TODAY Sports).
Augusta National Golf Club, Georgia, has also confirmed the membership of Heidi Ueberroth as co-chairwoman of Pebble Beach Co. Former USGA President Diana Murphy, Ginni Romaetty, former IBM CEO, and Ana Botin executive chairman of Santander Group. Sorenstam became the first LPGA professional to join one of golf’s most prestigious clubs, which is still one of the most sought-after affirmations of success.
Fred Ridley reflected on the decision a decade after it was made during his press conference before the Masters. “I don’t know about you but, when something good happens, or an idea you had comes true and you are pleased, whether it’s initiative, success, etc., you may always ask, “Why didn’t we act sooner?” That’s an interesting thought. “I wish we’d had,” he said.
He said: “Women are an important part of the membership and over time, you’ll see more women wearing green jackets. I will make sure that happens.
“We are proud to have several women as members of our organization. You probably know who they are. “They have made a great contribution to our organization both in terms of what they do to help us and the Masters.”
Sorenstam is a pioneer in the world of women’s golf. She was the first woman since 1945 to compete in a PGA Tour tournament, the Bank of America Colonial. Sorenstam was one of the initial tee-starters when the Augusta Women’s National Amateur debuted in 2019.
