Martha Burk’s Seemingly Endless Crusade
April 7, 2010 – 10:40 am by timgunterIn 2003, feminist activist Martha Burk led a protest on Augusta National to publicize their men-only membership policies. With Tiger Woods now making his comeback to golf, Burk is at it again badmouthing Augusta National and Tiger. Burk has had her own issues with Tiger since ’03 because she believes that he could have helped the crusade against Augusta National knowing that the membership of the club had been only Caucasian for a long time, but he wanted no part of that. Instead, Tiger chose to distance himself from her cause and remain in the good graces of the club’s powerful members. Today, Burk is not a happy woman. Although she thinks that Tiger made a good decision to choose his return at The Masters, she is upset with Tiger’s infidelity issues and believes that Augusta’s all-male membership culture created Tiger’s feeling of sexual entitlement. Wow! She is crazy! I don’t think that has anything to do with it. Burk obviously went through school taking lots of classes and studying for long hours at a time to get her PhD in Psychology, but she forgot to take the class in common sense. To equate Tiger with chauvinism because of where he chooses to play golf is wrong.
Martha Burk joined 790 The Zone in Atlanta to talk about the Masters being a safe place for Tiger to return to golf, her thoughts on Tiger’s press conference on Monday, and whether her opinion of Tiger Woods is her professional opinion or personal.
On the Masters being a safe place for Tiger to return to golf:
“Well obviously they are going to protect him. Augusta protects itself and its own and it has got to be the safest place that he could possibly made a comeback because they control the media, they control the crowds and certainly public opinion around the club and in the club. Yeah, it is very safe for him.”
Her thoughts on Tiger’s press conference on Monday:
“Well pretty much agree with the AP. But now since I read this morning it looked insincere to me. You can sit up there and say that I am sorry and that I am contrite and you have got to wonder what he is sorry about. Is he sorry he got caught? Yeah. Is he really sorry that he did it? Who knows. He seems kind of like an automaton like he always has and that control which probably served him very well when he was just the World’s greatest golfer and not the World’s Greatest philanderer. It makes him look in sincere now.”
On it being difficult for the World to know the degree to which Tiger is sorry because of his reserved manner:
“It is really interesting. The press seems to disagree on it too. I just have never trusted the guy that much. That is my personal opinion. I am a PhD Psychologist. I have a little experience.”
How dangerous it is to judge a person without spending a single minute with he or she:
“Well I wouldn’t use the word ‘dangerous.’ I would use the word of course you have to be cautious and then you have to say, as I did, it is my opinion. Others do agree with me and others do not.”
Whether her opinion of Tiger Woods is her professional opinion or personal:
“It is both. It is both. I think that is fair to say. As far as where I stand and I think that people who know me and know the record here know that my concern is the treatment of women by that club. My concern is the statement the club makes every time they close the door to women which is all of the time. By the way, you guys could do a little bit of a service here. I have been getting calls all week from reporters that are new to this arena, meaning they have come in the last seven years, They think that there is a waiting list to get into Augusta National Golf Club and that women are on it. Of course, we that have been involved with the club for a long time know that there is no such thing of a waiting list and you can’t apply to get in.”
Martha Burk on Tiger’s return to Augusta on Mayhem in the AM
Tags: 2010 masters Tournament, Augusta National Golf Club, led a boycott of Augusta national some time in the 1990’s, Martha Burk, Martha Burk fights for women’s rights, PhD Psychologist, The Masters, Tiger Woods, Tiger’s #1 hater, Tiger’s Press conference, Tiger’s return to golf
45 Responses to “Martha Burk’s Seemingly Endless Crusade”
lol martha burk is a dumb bitch
By fgy on Apr 7, 2010
Martha Burk has a very valid point.
By JBrown on Apr 7, 2010
Dr Burk is a perfect example of the difference between intelligence and wisdom
By AlabamaXll on Apr 7, 2010
A PhD in Psychology is not a license for activism. It makes her less qualified for the kind of qualification she puts a claim. Ask any psychologist in any academic institution, you would hear many of them cracking jokes about this woman. I guess, she studied psychology because she had personal issues and hoped it would help her to overcome them. I tell you, she should have helped Tiger Woods to win over bad habits, instead of using him for her case against Augusta.
By Goodness on Apr 7, 2010
Who is Martha Burk?
By Witchy on Apr 7, 2010
I am a female and I appreciate Ms. Burk’s right to her opinion. However, I take exception to her stand in regard to getting females into Augusta. I feel that there is absolutely nothing wrong with men having functions where only men are involved. We do not find men trying to infiltrate female activities. As for her opinion of Tiger, I agree with her assessment…perhaps a bit more strenuously than she; I feel he is a tee-total scumbag. I don’t believe one word that comes out of that man’s mouth.
By JDigges on Apr 7, 2010
What a whore. Boo hoo, the guys are playing golf and won’t let us in their tree house, waaah. Maybe if you shut up for five seconds, men wouldn’t have to find stuff to do without you. When I get special breaks for owning a business, like women do, then we’ll talk. Until you can do something for yourself without needing men’s help, we won’t take you seriously.
Shut up.
By Yodel on Apr 7, 2010
“A PhD in Psychology is not a license for activism”
Actually, the only thing that is required to get a license for activism is to be a human being.
Capitalism built Tiger Woods. There would be no tournaments without it.
So, get a grip. Tiger has as many women as his wife will allow and he still plays golf. Whether it is news is another matter. And whether golf is worthy of news is, as well.
By budgy on Apr 7, 2010
I am astonished at the divide that still exists between men and women, and especially the level of hatred for womenb shown by the comments by men here. I agree that Tiger’s affect is robot-like, and that it would be impossible to have any sense of his sincerity. Such an affect natually elicits suspicion as to his honesty. As for his chauvanisn and misogynistic behavior (slapping his girlfriends in the face and urinating on them), how is this simply falling prey to temptation? He is a scary perv. And, as a complete psychology novice, in my own opinion, my guess is that something horrible happened to him as a child, to have such a deep-seated hatred of women — girlfriends and wife included!
By Eve on Apr 7, 2010
Yodel: you do not understand the idea of equality….you are boorish and probably stupid. A sexist and probably elitist as well. Nothing like someone owning a business to think he/she has the answer to all problems. In fact in many ways you are the problem.
By bodiddle on Apr 7, 2010
Is there something wrong with a women-only gym? Of course not. Some women don’t like to be stared at by men while they workout, or don’t feel comfortable, etc… Some men want to have a club, and for whatever reason they don’t want women around. Stop whining.
By tc on Apr 7, 2010
“i never trusted the guy” but I want him to help me and my cause.
Looks like he never trusted you, dizike…
By johnnyhandsome913 on Apr 7, 2010
Anyone sense an evil streak in Tiger Woods ?
I’d be mad too if someone equated me with an evil animal 24/7, I mean we all have problems. Ms Burk’s has them too you know ( likes the women x much ? )
As a psychoanalysts, I’d say Tiger Woods has a low IQ, evil arousal problems and is confused by his preference for numberous white women, and enjoys rough sex because he’s evil.
The root of all evil is the need for food – people should ban or FINE Tiger Woods from golf because of his alleged drug and women abuse problems.
By Dan Izzo on Apr 7, 2010
Yodel is a crusty old douche who more than likely always thinks with the wrong head.
By godiddle on Apr 7, 2010
only 1 man broke his vow of marriage. Many women took advantage of him – would Burk have succeeded?
By jake nichols on Apr 7, 2010
Man that is one scary feminazi! I wonder if she went to bat for Crystal Mangum when she falsely accused those boys.
But back to beating up Tiger, you man-hating pigs. Women these days are a bunch of self-absorbed, cant-spewing neurotics.
By Tigerfan on Apr 7, 2010
Ms.Burke’s success in confronting the guys at Augusta should be applauded. After all, her net result was TV coverage almost completely free of distracting advertisements.
As to her amateurish psychobabble, one wonders from which diploma mill she matriculated.
By djr on Apr 7, 2010
Oh — and Tiger should dump his boring lump of a wife so he can resume an exciting sex life. If you have a nine iron in your pocket better use it! That’s his problem: can’t dump the ball and chain.
By Tigerfan on Apr 7, 2010
With each of her protests and rants against men’s organizations, Martha Burk confirms that she epitomizes the meaning of being two-faced. If she were really sincere, she’d also be protesting in front of exclusive women’s organizations that do not allow men. Never once has she done this despite the fact that many are out there including to name just a few:
Wellesley College
Smith College
Mills College (motto: better dead than co-ed)
Mt Holyoke College
The Metropolitian Club – San Francisco
Note to Martha: You’ll never have credibility until you show that you’re truly open minded and not just on a witch hunt against men. At least 50% of the US population is still waiting.
By Robert on Apr 7, 2010
EVIL is right! He cheats on his beautiful wife, has unprotected sex with all over 20 women, treats them all in an abusive/”rough” manner, tells them all that he “loves them” and that his marriage is a sham, has sex with his mistresses, including the neighbor’s youngest daughter, all over his marital home, and pays good money for whores and to hush them up after. E V I L is the word!!! And just because he is rich, it is all overlooked! He should be banned, fined, and jailed, as far as I am concerned. Elin, please have a shread of sense and do not even let this scumbag get near you!!!
By Eve on Apr 7, 2010
She’s pointing out a real issue. You can make baseless personal attacks on her, but her arguments still stand. The club’s policy is discriminatory and Tiger would have not been allowed to play there, no matter how good he was, in past generations. And Augusta isn’t a tree house and the men aren’t 7 years old. But it unfortunately sure does seem like a boys club.
By wake forest golf fan on Apr 7, 2010
Thank you, Dr.Martha Burk, thank you for putting yourself out there for women of all color against Augusta’s anti-female rules. I’m convinced that if Augusta allowed both men and women as members, and not blacks or other ethnics, you would also be in the forefront for their human rights. Shame on Tiger Woods for patronizing such a Golf Club. It forshadowed his current lack of character. Thank you again from Canada and hello to our American “cousins” of all genders and ethinic backgrounds!
By Jake on Apr 7, 2010
We can safely presume that article author Tim Gunter does not have a PhD in English.
“How dangerous it is to judge a person without spending a single minute with he or she:”
My eighth grade English teacher just rolled over in her grave.
By Ron Petersen on Apr 7, 2010
Tiger’s reserved personality and control mechanisms are just who he is. I don’t know whether to believe his apology or not, but I do know he has provided some of the most memorable golf moments in the past decade. And I look forward to many more. I have no problem with his choice of Augusta National because it is the perfect venue for his return.
I find Martha Burke very much of an opportunist, using Tiger’s indescretions and fallout to create a forum for her own greviences. I don’t blame her for trying but I do know that the members of Augusta National couldn’t care less what she thinks about Tiger, or let this distraction have any affect on their all-male member policy. I beleive activism at all levels is good, but why is it necessary for women to strive for equality at all levels when this type of activism is usually a unilateral initiative. Equality between men and women will probably never be achieved until women have enough money to make it so. I’m not judgeing, just voicing the obvious fact that most things come down to money.
By golfer921 on Apr 7, 2010
As a woman, I say start your own damed golf club and let the boys have their own. As for Tiger’s sex life, I think he’s selfish to try to have a family and be a male ho.
By Sensible Gal on Apr 7, 2010
Ms Burke is upset because she see’s herself as a man in a womans body and she wants to play at Augusta. She is also jealous that she is not able to get that many white women in bed.
I’ve got an idea, lets let Elin kick Tigers arse and the rest of us go back to enjoying the game of golf.
By yogi on Apr 7, 2010
Since when was infidelity a reason to get fired from your job, he wasn’t sleeping with his co workers nor was abusing his position to get what he wanted. What he did was wrong. (What the women who spent time with him did was wrong also.) but that is no reason to ban him from a place that he needs to make his living. His personal life is where all the fallout from this event should land. And that seems to be happening. Otherwise let’s see where he goes from here. I think we should give him an opportunity to redeem himself and see what happens. Just my opinion but a more considered one than Dr Burk I think.
By Kenton on Apr 7, 2010
This comment is soo off base:
“As a psychoanalysts, I’d say Tiger Woods has a low IQ, evil arousal problems and is confused by his preference for numberous white women, and enjoys rough sex because he’s evil.”
Golf ability aside, not very many black men graduate with a degree from Stanford University. I doubt seriously that he has a low IQ. Always comes across as very articulate and thoughtful in his responses.
As far as preference for “numerous white women”. Tiger was raised in a totally white environment. He played golf with only white kids. He went to predominately white schools. And was raised in a manner more befitting a young white boy, than a young black boy. I doubt that he has ever had a black girlfriend.
Rough sex. Well I did not hear anyone saying that Marv Albert was “evil” when he was caught having rough sex (to the point of leaving bite marks) and wearing women’s panties………….
By Ed on Apr 7, 2010
You may not be knowledgeable about power plays and insecurities and the human psyche. You surely do not agree with her. But where do you get off calling her crazy? And she’s certainly not a “dumb bitch.” But whenever each of you calls her something like that, you prove her point.
By Kim on Apr 7, 2010
Martha Burk is not qualified to state any about Tiger woods if she has not met him or had him in therapy.
Her comments make about as much sense as former Senator Frist’s comments about Terry Schiavo not being brain dead based on a video he saw.
Further, comments are further cause for concern, because a professional therapist whatever happen to the concept of client-patient confidentiality.
Simply put she has an axe to grind against the Augusta Golf Club and she doesn’t give a hoot who she bad mouth’s to get her point across.
Ironically her actions/comments give me pause to consider the validity of anything she said or may say!
By Ozilot on Apr 7, 2010
Got a few porn stars pregnant, pee-ed on them, hit them in the face, had sex with the neighbor’s girl…..
Let’s HOPE he’s not just your average guy!!!
By Eve on Apr 7, 2010
As for Ms Burk’s arguement that Augusta National advances men’s careers because women are not allowed…there is one major problem with that. She is presuming that there is deal making and negotiating going on at Augusta. This is untrue. Augusta National has strictly enforced rules on members that you don’t talk “business” at the club. It’s social. I am friends with a member, who has seen members lose their membership for violating the rules. Corporate types will go to Augusta for GOLF…they’ll find another course to talk shop.
By Dave on Apr 7, 2010
What Tiger does with his personal life I don’t feel is anyone’s business. What he does on the course is that is what people pay to see. If his behavior on the course was anything like that off that would be another story. As for Augusta being Men only, who cares about that. There are plenty of clubs and organizations that are women only. Let’s just move on and focus attention to more important issues that actually affect American’s (ie. Unemployment, our current Economic Condition and helping those that are in need).
If activists are so bothered by the men’s only club/course, why don’t they just group together and finance their own course that is for women only. I’m pretty sure that you wouldn’t see a bunch of men outside of a Women’s only Golf Club/Course protesting.
By DJ on Apr 7, 2010
And to “sensible gal”. Your quote:
As for Tiger’s sex life, I think he’s selfish to try to have a family and be a male ho.
Tiger is not the first nor will he be the last to have this conundrum. Since the beginning of time, men that have had the most land, money, power or anything of value have constantly had families and outside women. Women have always been attracted to men of power and wealth. So much so as to totally disregard their own morals, forget societies morals, and jump into bed with them. They do this thinking that if he says he loves me then it must be true. When in there own minds they are just trying to justify sleeping with a married man. Go back and check your history and you will find sooo many instances of powerful men having families and multiple mistresses on the side. Even many instances of them having an entire family on the side…
By Ed on Apr 7, 2010
Hello “Eve”…I like your style! You would make a great Canadian also as your comments are reflective of Americans I’ve met and worked with and admired for their generosity. Cheers from Canada! Jake
By Jake on Apr 7, 2010
2 words… DRAFT CARDS. Until women (in the US) are required to fill them out things will never be equal. 2 more words Ladies Gym (curves etc) How is that not discriminatory? 2 more words… Divorce Court…
I think this lady has passion, and passion is an incredible intangible interpersonal skill to possess, but I do also believe that her “attack” on Tiger has a lot to do with the opportunity to push her ideas. Its amazing how she uses Tigers problems to promote womens issues. What about the kids? I barely hear anyone talk about the kids? Anyways, I dont think things will ever be equal… for this simple reason… Men and Women arent the same. Sign a draft card lady then come talk to me.
By Doug on Apr 7, 2010
as a Dr. in psych, shouldnt her real concern be with the children? Or perhaps she should see Tiger as a individual who needs help and, in all fairness has sought it out. Its a shame her ideas about Tiger (without knowing him, nor do I) are formed around what he did wrong, not how to help him and those who are part of the “fallout” of his issues. Who the @$%# wants a psych who is exploitative of patients issues in place of being an professional as she should be.
By Doug on Apr 7, 2010
First of all, this situation with Tiger is personal and no one has a right to ask him, his family or associates anything! Who gave you the right to interfere with his life, or even demand something from him that is none of your business! If it wasn’t for the media continually digging up dirt so little minds like yours have a purpose to get up every morning, this would be a better country.
Secondly, regarding Augusta National, who died and made you God? What is it about the term “Private Club” that you do not understand?
And “Eve”, where did your story about Tiger being with the neighbors daughter come from? You’re making accusations that have no verification or credibility. Women, who want their 15 minutes of fame, are coming out of their pathetic little holes saying they had relations with Tiger, and everyone takes their statements as gospel. WHY? And their asking for a apology? I thought whores got paid for their performance at the time of rendering their services’. Are they now saying they didn’t know he was married? Knowing he was married makes them equally responsible for all collateral damage. They were paid, one way or another, and whores do not deserve a benefit plan.
LET HE/SHE WITHOUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE.
By bob campbell on Apr 7, 2010
Hello “Bob Campbell”…well said…but I have no moral reactions to Tiger’s behaviour…it’s a reaction against hypocracy. He and his Sponsors knowingly put this Sports Idol out there as a family man, of high ethical standards. It is the “double-life” aspect that shocks us. I think the greats of golf, Jack Nicholas, Arnold Palmer, etc., have a serious look on their faces about Tiger as a golfer and do not think this is just private behaviour off the golf course.
By Jake on Apr 7, 2010
a club is entitled to having their own policies and i really don’t believe it’s sexism. Aside form that though, tiger most likely took steroids in my opinion, it’s just a matter of time before people find out.
By monkey face on Apr 7, 2010
Canadians are so good! Now they can tell what the golf greats of the past are thinking that is awesome!
Give it a rest and everyone mine their own business! Think I will head out to the driving range.
By yogi on Apr 7, 2010
Thank you “yogi”…we are “awesome”. You see, even a private club cannot discriminate against “race, gender , or sexual orientation” by out laws. Before such civil laws were passed by Parliament, such discriminations, alas, were here. Our Mayfair private golf course, very prestigious, in its early days, did not allow Jews in membership. It takes later generations to change these ideas. So I’ll “predict” another item: the next generation of Augusta members will change the current membership policy restrictions.
By Jake on Apr 7, 2010
Iron my clothes bitch
By HC on Apr 7, 2010
oh, grrrrrrr, grrrrrrrrrr
By redshakti on Apr 8, 2010
It seems like maybe she’s just ticked off that no man wants to have rough sex with her. So what if chicks can’t play golf at Augusta? What business of it is yours who Tiger bangs? Unless you’re one of them, keep your thoughts to yourself.
Hey Martha, if we let you play Augusta, will that make everything alright? Huh? Is that going to do it for you?
She’s obviously unhappy, and she wants everyone else to be unhappy as well, so she hitched her wagon to the P.C. horse and she’s trying to get some miles under her not-so-suprisingly masculine belt.
From crapping out loud, Martha, just sew on a wang and call yourself a dude. You know you want to.
Equality is the goal of those who aren’t at the top of the food chain.
By Yodel on Apr 8, 2010