The bold name of a luxury Washington, D.C.-area country club is pushing back against the organization’s plans to upgrade its men’s lounge as part of a major renovation project.
More than 100 members of the Washington Golf & Country Club in Arlington, Virginia, whose membership fees cost up to $150,000 and a waiting list for membership reportedly stretches for years, have asked the club’s board of directors to – Demanded that a $5 million renovation project that maintains the Grill’s outdated gender segregation be reconsidered.
“Dozens of us share the view that we oppose the continued existence of gender-restricted men’s grills at WGCC,” the members said in the letter. Retrieved from Politico Influence.
Signatories include former North Dakota Sen. Byron Dorgan. Susan Brophy is a top lobbyist at PR firm FGS Global and a former White House staffer for Mr. Clinton. Jeff Freeman, CEO of U.S. Travel Association.
According to Politico, the frantic members blame club president John Burlingame, a partner at the White Shoe law firm Squire Patton Boggs, for the plan.
A club official told the outlet that he is pursuing “grossly misogynistic and outdated policies” for the storied 130-year-old country club.
Members say they are being put in a difficult position by plans to keep Men’s Grill, whose members include Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, at the club.
“I share the bewilderment of our members as they try to explain to their mothers, sisters, wives, daughters, colleagues, and friends why our modern meeting places retain remnants of the past,” Freeman said. It is written in a letter. Board obtained by Politico.
Plans to upgrade Washington Golf and Country Club’s facilities include expanding the co-ed Tap Room Bar and Lounge and relocating and upgrading the Men’s Grill.
However, the women-only ladies’ lounge will not be renovated, only seating will be added.
“Now is the time for boards to make the most of co-ed social spaces and increase parity between men’s and women’s lounge areas.” The members were dissatisfied.
In response to the letter, the club’s leadership sent an email to the community, stating that when asked if they intended to eliminate separate lounges for men and women, the club’s leadership responded with a resounding “no.”
“One of the characteristics of the privilege bubble is that sometimes people do things that they would never tolerate in their professional lives,” said a member who was granted anonymity to avoid losing club membership. one person told Politico.
“John Burlingame is a respected figure in his profession, but it’s hard to reconcile that with this grossly misogynistic and outdated policy he presides over in his personal life.”
Another member defended Burlingame, saying he was in an “enviable position” but was “missing the opportunity to lead the club in a critical discussion of this anachronistic tradition.”
Neither Burlingame nor the club responded to The Post’s requests for comment.
In a statement to Politico, the club said the proposed $5 million renovation had been under consideration for years and was based on feedback from members. No formal proposals have been presented to members, who will have the opportunity to vote on the funding of the scheme.
“Regarding these proposals, members have the opportunity to propose changes to the club’s facilities and operations through the club’s governance structure, including the standing committees,” the WGCC said. “The board also solicited feedback on the plan from members, which resulted in a variety of perspectives.”
