Condoleezza Rice, Darla Moore Become First Women to Join Augusta National Golf Club

The Augusta National Golf Club finally has its first two female members.

Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and South Carolina businesswoman Darla Moore have become the first women admitted to the club. Since 1932, only men have been selected as members.

"This is a joyous occasion," said Augusta National chairman Billy Payne. "These accomplished women share our passion for the game of golf and both are well known and respected by our membership. It will be a proud moment when we present Condoleezza and Darla their green jackets when the club opens this fall."

Payne has been considering accepting female members for the past few years. He took over as the chairman in 2006, and says the women faced the same induction process as every other member.

The call to let women join Augusta reached its apex in 2002. Martha Burk of the National Council of Women's Organizations made news when she tried to get the club to change its ways.

Hootie Johnson, the chairman prior to Payne, did not relent. He said a woman might eventually be admitted into the club, but not yet. Augusta suffered from Johnson standing his ground, losing Masters television sponsors for two years, after he stated that woman wouldn't wear a green jacket "at the point of a bayonet."

Now, the club is home to both men and women.