The worst news that Kate Upton has ever heard? Of course it concerns the Los Angeles Country Club and its (supposed) policy of not letting women golf before noon. Ms. Upton, who recently took up the sport, fired off a tweet about that today — presumably after hearing about this policy from a friend, or getting her courses confused.
Because, according to LACC General Manager Kirk Reese, no such policy exists.
“(Women not being allowed to play before noon) is absolutely not true,” and the club “has had female members since 1898,” Reese said.
But it does bring to light a pretty ugly history of golf club discrimination in the Los Angeles Area. For instance, prior to 1977, the Los Angeles Country Club didn’t allow Jews as members — and the club didn’t routinely admit Jews until the mid-1990s. For the first 90-plus years of its existence, until 1981, it didn’t allow African-Americans (former San Francisco 49ers receiver Gene Washington was the first). And show-business types were also frowned upon.
I just heard that Los Angeles Country Club doesn't allow women to golf until noon.That is the most insulting news I've heard! It's 2014
— Kate Upton (@KateUpton) June 4, 2014
Southern California has its history of discrimination at private clubs. Discrimination against black and Jewish golfers at Los Angeles Country Club was legendary. So perhaps it was not surprising, after the club had admitted former NFL wide receiver Gene Washington as its first black member less than 20 years ago, that a white member approached a black man on the putting green and said, “Welcome, Mr. Washington.” The man was not Washington. He was a club guest.
As for the before-noon restriction being “the worst thing” Upton has heard, we have to agree. Afghanistan? Those girls kidnapped in Africa? World hunger? They really can’t compare.