Augusta National Golf Club’s choice to permit Saudi-backed LIV golfers to play in subsequent spring’s Masters event was sharply criticized on Tuesday as a “cowardly reaction” by the nationwide president of 9/11 Families United, who promised that the group of his survivors will protest in opposition to the event.
“It’s really awful to see it being played at the Augusta Masters, the one place I wished I’d never seen them able to play,” mentioned Terry Strada, whose husband Tom was shot useless in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, and who has spent months talking out in opposition to golfers opting to take part in the controversial new exhibition-model golf championship championed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
“It’s the only place I would have hoped he would get up and take a stand,” Strada mentioned of Augusta National in a telephone interview with USA TODAY Sports.
“Actions speak louder than words,” he mentioned. play.
“I didn’t have very high expectations of Donald Trump (when he hosted the LIV tournaments this year) but I definitely thought Augusta would have more class and care more about the 9/11 community than that. This is one slap in the face.”
An electronic mail, voicemail, and textual content message have been despatched to the Augusta National spokeswoman, who acknowledged receipt of the message however provided no additional remark.
When requested if 9/11 Families United might protest at the Masters in April as they did at Trump’s Bedminster golf course in July when it hosted a LIV occasion, Strada replied:
“I went to Bedminster because it was literally in my backyard from where I lived on September 11, 2001, and I have every intention of going to Augusta for the Masters in the spring. This will allow our voices to be heard on the world stage.”
In an announcement on Tuesday morning, Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley introduced that the membership will permit LIV golfers to take part in the 2023 Masters subsequent April.
“Unfortunately, recent actions have divided men’s professional golf by diminishing the virtues of the game and the significant legacies of those who built it,” Ridley mentioned. “While we are disappointed with these developments, our aim is to honor the tradition of bringing together a pre-eminent field of golfers this April. Therefore, as invitations are sent out this week, we will be inviting those who are eligible based on our current criteria to compete in the 2023 Masters Tournament.”
Notable names comparable to Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and Sergio Garcia, all of whom have left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf, are amongst these eligible.
Last yr, President Joe Biden declassified an FBI report detailing Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the 9/11 assaults, which Saudi leaders have lengthy denied. Fifteen of the 19 hijackers concerned in the assaults have been Saudi nationals.
LIV Golf is funded by bin Salman, who, in response to the United Nations and intelligence businesses, was the mastermind behind the killing and dismemberment of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.
“9/11 families were outraged and shocked and hurt by all of this,” mentioned Strada, whose husband Tom was an avid golfer. “Saudi to do sport scrubbing of their repute is taking part in precisely what the kingdom needs, which is legitimacy on the world stage. You are giving the kingdom of Saudi Arabia the legitimacy they crave and are prepared to pay thousands and thousands for of {dollars}. It is shameful. “
Leave a Reply