AUGUSTA, Georgia – Saying no one should be disadvantaged in his voting power, Augusta National and Masters Chairman Fred Ridley wouldn’t go so far as to condemn the controversial Georgia voting bill that led Major League Baseball to pull the All-Star Game out of Atlanta and other companies to criticize the legislation.
As part of his annual pre-tournament press conference Wednesday at Augusta National, Ridley said, “The right to vote is fundamental in our democratic society. No one should be disadvantaged by exercising that right, and it is critical that all citizens have confidence in them. the election process This is fundamental to who we are as a people.
“We realize that opinions and opinions on this law differ, and boycotts and other penalties have been called for. Unfortunately, those actions often place the greatest burden on the most vulnerable in our society. And in this case, our friends and neighbors here. in Augusta that are at the center of the positive difference we are trying to make. ”
The 98-page measure was signed into law by Georgian Governor Brian Kemp on March 25. Opponents of the law say it will, among other things, limit access to votes, especially for people of color.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, who announced last week that the All-Star Game would be moved out of Georgia due to electoral law, is an Augusta National member. Ridley was not asked about baseball’s stance, and when asked about his personal opinion, he said that shouldn’t be the discussion.
“I believe and I am convinced that every member of this club believes that voting is an essential fundamental right in our society and that – as I said, anything that deters anyone from voting is wrong and should be addressed,” said Ridley . “I’m not going to talk about the details of the law, but I do know that… I think there is a resolution, and I think that resolution will be based on people working together and talking and having a constructive dialogue, because that is the way our democratic society works. And while I know you would like us to make a proclamation on this, I just don’t think it will be helpful for eventually reaching a solution. “
According to federal election commission data, Ridley donated $ 2,800 to “Perdue for Senate”, $ 2,800 to the “Senate Georgia Battleground Fund,” and $ 5,600 to WinRed, a Republican Party fundraising platform, on Dec. 1. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler were Georgian Republican senators who each lost in a January 5 run-off that saw the majority in the U.S. Senate switch to the Democratic Party. Georgia was also narrowly won by President Joe Biden in November amid unsubstantiated allegations of voter fraud by then-President Donald Trump.
Ridley, who has served as Masters chairman since replacing Billy Payne in 2017, praised the fact that the Masters would honor Lee Elder as an honorary starter on Thursday morning. Elder was the first black golfer to compete in the Masters in 1975. He will start the tournament together with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.
Elder “bravely broke barriers when his name was announced on the first tee,” Ridley said. “And I can’t wait to have the honor of introducing Lee and celebrating his inspiring legacy with our customers and viewers around the world.”
Augusta National has committed to donate two scholarships in Elder’s name to the golf programs of Paine College in Augusta, a predominantly black school. As part of that, the club has pledged to start from scratch with a women’s golf program at any cost.
Cameron Champ is the only black player in the Masters field this week with 88 players. He has done his own job supporting predominantly Black college golf and said he was disappointed by the new Georgia voting bill.
“As you can see, it’s really targeting certain black communities and it’s getting harder to vote, which is the right to vote for me,” said Champ, speaking before Ridley’s press conference. “For me to see that, it’s very shocking. Obviously with what MLB and what they did in moving the All-Star Game was a big explanation. I know there are a lot of other organizations and companies out there that things have moved.
“This is a prestigious event and I know there is a lot going on and a lot of people involved. It was a little frustrating to see that. This week I will definitely be supporting some things throughout the week.”