Martha Burk, African-American historians and golfer urge USGA to move U.S. Women’s Open from Trump course

Martha Burk may get the splashiest headlines, but the woman behind the unsuccessful 2002 protests to get Augusta National to admit women members has joined eminent African Americans with USGA credentials in demanding relocation of the 2017 U.S. Women’s Open from a course owned by Donald Trump.

On the Huffington Post on Friday, the second day of this year’s U.S. Women’s Open at CordeValle, the director of the National Council of Women’s corporate accountability project noted growing opposition to the “ruling bodies of golf kowtowing to Trump’s overtly racist and sexist views” by holding next year’s tourney at the presumptive Republican presidential nominee’s Bedminster, New Jersey course.

In the wake of Trump’s offensive comments about Mexican immigrants when he launched his campaign for president, the USGA, PGA and LPGA Tours, and PGA of America issued a tepid statement reproaching the candidate for his remarks. The PGA of America then canceled its Grand Slam of Golf rather than stage it at Trump National in Los Angeles. The PGA Tour went ahead with the 2016 WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral but, in an ironic twist, will move its long-running Miami tournament to Mexico in 2017.

Meanwhile, Trump courses are scheduled to host next year’s U.S. Women’s Open and Senior PGA Championship, as well as the 2022 PGA Championship.

Sammons, as well as Calvin Sinnette, author of Forbidden Fairways: African Americans and the Game of Golf, and two-time National Minority Collegiate Golf Association All-America golfer and former USGA fellow Cedrick Smith renounced their links with the organization because of its refusal to cut ties with Trump. Sammons quit as a USGA volunteer, while Smith, a former USGA fellow, plans to snub future U.S. Opens until and unless the organization dumps Trump.

The three men also recently kicked off a petition campaign under the auspices of a new organization called “Golfers Opposing Bigotry.” The petition urges the USGA, PGA of America, and PGA and LPGA Tours sever existing ties with Trump, stop holding major championships at his golf properties, and not enter into new golf partnerships with the real estate mogul.

“The [USGA’s] decision seems to be governed by a warped notion of fiduciary rectitude rather than a sense of moral probity,” Sinnette wrote in an open letter to USGA executive director Mike Davis. “Pious pronouncements about ‘inclusion,’ ‘broader access,’ and ‘disparities,’ ring hollow when the USGA is forced to confront vexing challenges.”

As a member of the USGA African-American golf history task force, Sinnette contributed several items to the organization’s museum. “Appalled and infuriated” to learn months ago that the USGA had no plans to move the women’s contest, Sinnette penned an earlier letter, which had no impact.

“With bitter disappointment and profound disenchantment” that the USGA would not sever its relationship “with a blatant racist and misogynist,” Sinnette wrote that he relinquished his association with the USGA.

Smith, who has attended the U.S. Open with USGA credentials for a decade, wrote in his open letter to Davis shortly after Trump’s incendiary 2015 remarks that he will no longer attend such events.

“I will be boycotting subsequent US Open Championships as long as there is an affiliation with Trump,” wrote Smith, who noted he continues to feel the “sting” of golf’s “long history of racism” today.

“When racism rears its head,” he wrote, “it has to be challenged and rebuked even when one is not a part of the group to be marginalized.”

Sammons, who in June resigned as a member of the USGA Museum and Library committee and its African-American Golf Archive, on which he had served since 2009, has questioned the organization’s affiliation with Trump for six years. Continued association with “a hateful, misogynistic, racist, divisive, dangerous, dishonest, reckless, and intolerant” Trump makes the USGA “no longer suitable” to house the “foremost repository of the African American golf experience,” Sammons wrote.

Sammons was hopeful after the primary golf organizations stated that Trump’s remarks conflicted with their commitment to inclusiveness. But he found their words to be “hollow and hypocritical,” especially as the USGA has stood firm in its determination to stage the U.S. Women’s Open at Trump’s Bedminster club.

“For the governing body of golf to reward someone whose despicable views and behavior — that have only worsened over time — is inexplicable, inexcusable, intolerable, and, in a word, unconscionable,” Sammons wrote. “I expected so much more from an organization that I believed was making real progress toward meaningful inclusivity.”

In a Friday statement, the USGA conceded that some of Trump’s comments were “at odds with our belief that golf should be welcoming and inclusive,” but that Trump National was “fully compliant” with the USGA’s anti-discriminatory policies.

While Davis lauded Sammons and Sinnette for their “exemplary contributions” to preserving the “rich history of African-American golf,” according to Golfweek, LPGA pros were caught in the middle of the political firestorm.

Former world No. 1 Stacy Lewis was unaware of the issue until a plane, with a “Golf Says No to Trump” flew overhead during Saturday’s second round at CordeValle.

“It was kind of annoying,” Lewis said, according to Randall Mell. “We were up in the mountains, and it was kind of close, so you could hear it, and I was like, `Is that thing going to run out of gas?’”

Several prominent black athletes have spoken out about police violence and 18-time major winner Jack Nicklaus openly supports Trump’s candidacy, but it’s rare for golfers to involve themselves in politics or social issues. Many LPGA players are no different.

“There’s not a whole lot I can do about it,” Lewis said. “As players, what are we going to do, just not show up and not play the U.S. Women’s Open? I don’t think people are going to do that. You just have to rely on the governing bodies. I’m sure they will be prepared for everything that week. We have to rely on them.”

Gerina Piller agreed.

“I don’t really see getting into politics,” Piller told Mell. “It’s just one of those things where if it’s a good course and they see it fit to host an event there, I think that it’s OK.”

Cristie Kerr, who calls Trump a good friend, had a different take.

“I think it’s a little unfair [Burk] is trying to press an organization to side with her personal opinion,” said the two-time major winner. “He could be the next president of the United States. I’m a woman. I’m all for women’s empowerment and everything. Donald’s done tons for the women’s game. I just think it’s unfair she’s pressing our organization to jump on the bandwagon when not all of us feel the way she does.”

In a statement issued Saturday, the LPGA had this to say:

”The USGA has been and continues to be a great partner for the LPGA. The USGA — not the LPGA — owns and operates the U.S. Women’s Open and we are delighted to have so many of our LPGA members qualify to participate each year.

”When it comes to decisions regarding venue, purse, TV, etc., those are solely made by the USGA.

“We fully expect to keep the U.S. Women’s Open on our 2017 schedule, and support the decisions made by the USGA on this matter.”