Paula Creamer continues pushing for women’s Masters
Paula Creamer thinks Augusta National can be the home to two Masters tournaments, including one for female players.
“I’ve been there, I’ve played there, stayed in Butler’s Cabin,” said Creamer on Tuesday ahead of the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic.
“I had an awesome time. I think the patrons and everybody would love to have two weeks there, two tournaments. Why wouldn’t you? Hopefully, we will see something change and happen.”
Under chairman Billy Payne, Augusta National has done more to simultaneously build the Masters brand and contribute to the game’s expansion in Asia and Latin America, as well among junior American golfers with the Drive, Chip and Putt contest. Creamer sees no reason why Augusta National can’t do the same for women’s golf.
“It’s 2015. I think Augusta and the Masters and everybody with that event, they want to grow the game so badly,” Creamer said. “That’s what it is, about growing the game and giving people opportunities. The Chip and Putt, all of that for the kids to be able to come out there. There’s no reason why we can’t do that in women’s golf. We’re just as much a part of growing the game.”
Payne was asked about the possibility, posited each year by LPGA Tour commissioner Mike Whan, ahead of the Masters. He was dismissive of the idea.
“We have a very short member season at Augusta National. It’s seven months only,” he said. “The time that we dedicate to the preparation and conduct of the tournament is already extensive. I don’t think that we would ever host another tournament.”
Creamer begs to differ, looking at Pinehurst No. 2, which hosted the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open in consecutive weeks last summer, as an example.
Told of Payne’s remarks, the 2010 U.S. Women’s Open champion said, “You could have two major tournaments back-to-back.”
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
