Augusta member resigns over stance

The former chief executive officer of CBS became the first member of the Augusta National Golf Club to resign in protest over the club's refusal to admit a woman member, The New York Times reported Tuesday.

Thomas H. Wyman, a 25-year member of Augusta National, told the Times that club chairman Hootie Johnson's position not to admit women was unacceptable and "pigheaded." He estimated that as many as one quarter of the roughly 300 club members also support the admission of women.

"I am not anxious to make this personal," Wyman told the newspaper. "But Hootie keeps writing that there has not been a single case of protest in the membership. And he absolutely believes this will all go away. It will not go away and it should not."

"We are disappointed that Mr. Wyman has chosen to publicize a private matter," club spokesman Glenn Greenspan said. "While we respect the fact that there are differences of opinion on this issue, we intend to stand firm behind our right to make what are both appropriate and private membership choices."

-- AP