Letters

Masters and Johnson
Hootie Johnson (AIR AND SPACE, Nov. 18) is right to say that as long as gender-specific organizations continue to exist in this country, Augusta National should be allowed to operate as it desires. Johnson, however, needs to be careful when using tradition as an argument. Less than a year ago he sent now infamous letters to past champions Gay Brewer, Billy Casper and Doug Ford, urging them to no longer participate in the Masters. I suppose that in Johnson's mind some traditions are worth preserving, while others are not.
PAUL GRANHOLM, Melbourne, Fla.

When Rushin interviews African-Americans, Latinos, Texans or Canadians, does he put pronunciation guides in those articles? I found his use of lines such as "Pronounced, in Johnson's magnificent Southern accent, as 'ANG-uh THEY-uh' " to be offensive. Was he trying to belittle Hootie or show us his own prejudice?
CHARLES POLLARD, Alpharetta, Ga.

Rota Rooter
Bravo to SI for recognizing coach Greg Rota's decision to report a scoring error that cost his Westborough High (Mass.) golf team a state title (FACES IN THE CROWD, NOV. 18). Thank you, Coach Rota, for leading with integrity and teaching your team, and the rest of us, what sports are really about. You and your team are champions in my book.
ANDREW FRIEDMAN, Cabin John, Md.

Board Stiffs
If the Klitschkos are so brilliant (The Bruise Brothers, Nov. 18), why are they playing on a chessboard that's improperly set up? The box on each player's lower right corner should be white.
MARK SHAPIRO, Skokie, Ill.

Playing the Field
After reading about Anaheim's talented reliever Francisco Rodriguez (Bienvenido, Nene Fran, Nov. 18), one thought struck me: three kids by two different women by the age of 20? It sounds like he's been behaving like a major leaguer for a long time.
ARYN SOBO, New York City