Hootie Johnson JONATHAN ERNST/FILE

Dressed casually in slacks, a white dress shirt with no tie and, of course, his green jacket, Hootie Johnson appears to be in good health. Two months ago, he underwent coronary artery bypass surgery in New York.

At his office in the club's administration building, Johnson is surrounded by reminders of the club's rich tradition. Two oil paintings done by former President Eisenhower, who was an Augusta National member, dominate the room. One is a portrait of club and Masters founder Bobby Jones; the other shows the 16th hole.

In a corner table, Johnson shows off a framed picture of himself with the club's co-founder and chairman, Clifford Roberts. Known for running Augusta National with a firm hand, Roberts appears tight-lipped in the photo.

"That was a pretty big smile for Cliff," Johnson says softly.

Now, with the 2003 Masters less than six months away, Johnson prepares to uphold the legacy set forth by Jones and Roberts more than 70 years ago.

Johnson begins the session with an opening statement on the club's position.

"I guess you kind of wondered why I wanted to see you," Johnson says. "There's been so much speculation on when and if we were going to take in a woman member. I felt like we needed to get the record straight on that.

"First thing ... is that we have no timetable. And the second thing is that our club has historically enjoyed a camaraderie and kindred spirit that we think is the heart and soul of our club. And that makes it difficult for us to consider change. Now a woman could very well, as I've said before, become a member of Augusta. But that is some time out in the future. And in the meantime, we'll hold dear our traditions, and our constitutional right, to choose and to associate.

"Those are the two messages that I wanted you to have."

Q: There are several clubs in the United States who don't allow female members. Why is Augusta National being singled out?

A: You mean why has this woman come after us? I definitely think it's because we have such a high profile, we're looked upon as being successful, and making a meaningful contribution to golf and, I hope, to the American way of life.

Q: What was your initial reaction when you received Dr. Burk's letter in June?

A: Well, I was surprised. Surprised to receive a threatening letter, threaten the club, threaten the tournament, threaten our sponsors.

Q: And everything you predicted in your response letter has come true?

A: It really has.

Q: After you received her letter, do you think if you responded privately ...

A: How do you respond privately to someone who threatens you?

Q: You could pick up the phone, send her a letter?

A: Well, that's what we did.

Q: Folks were surprised that you were so vocal when the club responded in July because the club has been silent on a lot of issues over the years.

A: I felt the need to come out. She had threatened us, and we needed to let her know that we didn't like it.

Q: What's the mood of the membership since the club reopened last month?

A: I don't know what you mean by that. ... The membership is very staunchly behind the position that we've taken.

Q: There have been various reports in the media that you've been a dove on the issue and that there have been committees of members talking about this issue. Are you making this decision alone or do you have support?

A: Let's just stay with the first question and I'd say that's not accurate.

Q: You're a dove?

A: That's inaccurate.

Q: You've had a few members come out and make public statements on this issue. I guess in the old days that would not have been tolerated or would have been frowned upon because traditionally the chairman has always spoken for the club.

A: That's still the policy. But I'm not going to comment on member issues.

Q: Tiger Woods, the top player in the game and a three-time Masters champion, said "it was the right thing to do" in admitting a woman. Apparently the players are getting drawn into this controversy. What do you think about that?

A: I think it's very unfortunate.

Q: How do you expect this issue to be resolved? Is there a way to make everybody happy?

A: It's not an issue with us. We're a private club and we're going to do what we think is best for our club and what has been historically sound and made the club what it is today.

Q: So we're probably not going to have a female member before next year's Masters?

A: I said we have no timetable. But I did also say at sometime out in the future (there could be a female member). And I also said that it is difficult for us to change something that works so well for us.

Q: What kind of correspondence have you received on this issue?

A: (Mr. Johnson points to his desk where three folders are crammed full of letters.)

Q: How many letters have you received?

A: I don't know how many we've gotten. And we've even received checks (holding one up). I guess we've gotten 12, 15 checks from people. We respond to every one.

Q: I guess people think the club is in bad shape financially?

A: I guess we have received a dozen or 15 checks.

Q: You're a married man and have four daughters. What kind of feedback have you received from your family on this issue?

A: Well, they're unanimously supportive.

You know, ... what we're really missing here is that single-gender organizations are good. And we're one of them. I mean the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, the Junior League, Smith College, sororities, fraternities. All good.

I mean, this woman throws out discrimination and bigotry. And the press has jumped all over that and that's what they try to put on Augusta National. It's totally unfair. We're a single-gender club, and we're happy to associate ourselves with those organizations I just enumerated.

Q: That's what the club is really about, to keep the ideal of Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts alive?

A: This place was founded on honesty and integrity. That's what we've tried to perpetuate. And ... this woman wants to put us in a class of discriminating and being bigots. And we're not.

Q: We know you invited the University of South Carolina women's golf team to play last spring. How often do you have women as guests?

A: I think ladies play over 1,000 rounds at Augusta in a season.

Q: What about you?

A: I have my wife and my daughters. And other members have their wives.

Q: Explain why not admitting a female member is different than not admitting a black member.

A: They're two totally different things. Constitutional law. Have you ever heard of civil rights activists say they're one and the same? No.

Q: What kind of role did you play when Augusta National admitted its first African-American member in 1990?

A: Well, I've gotten more credit than I deserve for that. Really, (former chairman) Jack Stephens and Joe Ford were the prime movers. I support it, enthusiastically support it, but they really did the work.

Q: Dr. Burk has threatened the sponsors and the PGA Tour. What if she tried to stage some sort of protest during the Masters next year?

A: Well, I'm sure our patrons are ladies and gentlemen and I'm sure they'll ignore that.

Q: Tell us about your decision to cut loose the television sponsors. How long can the tournament go on without sponsors of that nature?

A: We could go indefinitely but I don't anticipate that we'll go very long. I think we'll have our sponsors back. Or some sponsors. We'll have sponsors, I believe.

Q: Anything unusual to look for in next year's broadcast?

A: No, I don't think so other than a little more golf. We'll probably have some First Tee spots promoting something good and something we support financially.

Q: Is it farfetched to say that someday Augusta National might say it is not going to hold the Masters?

A: No. We'll always have the Masters Tournament. That's my gut (feeling).

Q: Your sponsors have been in a tough spot. What kind of feedback have you received from them?

A: Well, I really haven't gotten any feedback. I just told them we'd give them a break this year. But as I said a moment ago, I think we will have sponsors.

Q: As early as 2004?

A: Maybe.

Q: The PGA Tour has taken a lot of heat over this issue. Commissioner Tim Finchem said last week that the PGA Tour would continue to recognize the Masters. Explain your relationship with the PGA Tour.

A: Well, I guess it's really ... we try to have good relations with all the players. But I guess the relationship is really between Tim Finchem and me and before, Jack Stephens and Tim Finchem. It's always been very harmonious.

Q: Have you had any dialogue with the USGA or R&A?

A: No.

Q: How long do you plan to remain as chairman?

A: I really haven't given that any thought.

Q: Is that a decision you make?

A: That's a club matter.

Q: You've made a lot of changes during your tenure as chairman. What would you like your legacy to be?

A: I'd like for it to be that I perpetuated those things that Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts would have had me to do.

Q: How well did you know those two gentlemen?

A: I really didn't know Bobby Jones. I knew Cliff very well and I think you could say we were close friends.

Q: You just had heart surgery a couple of months ago. How are you feeling?

A: Feeling great. I'm going to see if I can't hit a golf ball today.

Q: Are you ready to start looking ahead to the next Masters and answering questions about Tiger Woods going for a three-peat?

A: Oh, yes. That will be exciting.

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