Augusta, GA (WIBX) - For the first time in its eighty-year history Augusta National Golf Club is admitting women.

The private club will present its famed green jackets to Condoleeza Rice and Darla Moore in the fall when the club opens.  The issue of whether or not to admit women has been talked about during recent campaign events for both President Barack Obama and presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney, both of whom have publicly supported admitting women to the club.

No less important was the  fact that as a major sponsor of the Masters, IBM's last three chief executives have been offered membership to the club.  When Virginia Rometty was promoted no such membership was offered, bringing the issue to the forefront once again.

In a statement released by Augusta National, former Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Rice said, "I look forward to playing golf, renewing friendships and forming new ones through this very special opportunity."

South Carolina businesswoman Darla Moore, for whom the University of South Carolina's Darla Moore School of Business is named and Vice President of Rainwater, Inc., said, "I am fortunate to have many friends who are members at Augusta National, so to be asked to join them as a member represents a very happy and important occasion in my life.  Above all, Augusta National and the Masters Tournament have always stood for excellence, and that is what is so important to me."

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