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Van's Top 10 All-Men's Clubs
By Gary Van Sickle
1. Burning Tree Bethesda, Md. Opened in 1922 and only 10 miles from the White House, the club was a favorite of presidents Nixon, Ford and Bush Sr. Burning Tree has never had a woman guest player, not even Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who's a pretty good golfer. Women are allowed on the grounds once a year -- to buy Christmas gifts in the pro shop. 2. Bob O'Link Highland Park, Ill. Wives may drop off their husbands but aren't permitted to get out of the car. There's no dress code at the Bob, where members have been known to play in only their shorts and shoes. 3. Preston Trail Dallas The club doesn't take phone calls from women and has two unwritten rules (created specifically to restrain member Mickey Mantle): No driving a cart inside the leather and no nude dining. 4. Pine Valley Clementon, N.J. When Jack Nicklaus played here on his honeymoon, his bride, Barbara, had to drive around the perimeter of the property to catch a glimpse of him. Pine Valley has made some strides. It now permits women to play -- on Sundays after 3 p.m. 5. Lochinvar Houston When a camera crew from CNN/Sports Illustrated tried to interview Butch Harmon, the pro at the time, a female producer was stopped at the front gate and then escorted to a rear entrance. Tiger Woods wore a shirt bearing the Lochinvar logo when he won the 1996 U.S. Amateur. 6. Garden City Garden City, N.Y.The venue for the 1902 U.S. Open and many early U.S. Amateurs, Garden City permits women on the back patio for receptions and on the course to view tournaments, but doesn't allow them to get too comfortable. There is only one ladies' room, and it's in the pro shop. 7. Sharon Sharon, OhioThe club was used for U.S. Open sectional qualifying until the USGA got religion in the wake of the Shoal Creek scandal of 1990. Jerry O'Neil, a former member who wrote a $1.6 million check (it's framed and hanging in the clubhouse) to build the club, ruled Sharon for years and is said to have rejected emergency medical equipment on the premises by saying, "Not as long as we have a waiting list." 8. Wolf Creek Olathe, Kans.No women allowed, though they can drop off their spouses in the parking lot. Nevertheless, Tour players Woody Austin, Matt Gogel, Tom Pernice and Tom Watson are regulars, as was baseball Hall of Famer George Brett. 9. Bear Creek Denver Owner Leo Bradley makes no bones about it: "We cater to half the family." Bear Creek has hosted Colorado PGA Section events, but the club will probably drop out of the rotation because two woman pros entered a Colorado section tournament this year at another course. 10. Gator Creek Sarasota, Fla.Once known for big-money games and shirtless guys who parked their carts at the edge of the greens, the club is beginning to attract a more discerning clientele, which explains why a member was recently suspended for relieving himself off the porch of the clubhouse.
Issue date: October 8, 2001
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