Bill Plaschke: Augusta National ushers in new era with amateur women's event

AUGUSTA, Ga. - On the 15th anniversary of its war against women, the Augusta National Golf Club commemorated the event Wednesday not with mournful band or heartfelt hymn, but a single click.

For the first time, the most exclusive American sports venue unlocked its venerable Magnolia Lane gates for a competitive championship round to be played by golfers other than those in the Masters.

That round will be played by women.

In a morning announcement that could be the equivalent of this week's most enduring Masters roar, new Augusta chairman Fred Ridley revealed the establishment of the inaugural