Augusta National Chairman Billy Payne is asked about the men-only membership policy . The chairman of the club that hosts America 's most prestigious golf tournament skirted the prickly issue of women 's membership Wednesday , saying it is a private matter . He says membership is `` subject to the private deliberation of members '' and that he has not heard any complaints from women in his 30 years as a member. Her status has reignited the gender controversy as the Masters begins .
Augusta National Chairman Billy Payne is asked about the men-only membership policy . He says membership is `` subject to the private deliberation of members '' and that he has not heard any complaints from women in his 30 years as a member. Her status has reignited the gender controversy as the Masters begins .