Over 100 members of the Washington Golf and Country Club in Arlington, Virginia are protesting against the organization’s plan to preserve the outdated gender segregation at the Men’s Grill as part of a major renovation project. The club, known for its high initiation fees and long waiting lists, has faced backlash from prominent members such as former North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan, lobbyist Susan Brophy, and US Travel Association CEO Geoff Freeman. The members are demanding that the board reconsider its decision to keep the Men’s Grill as a men-only space.
The members argue that maintaining the gender-restricted Men’s Grill at the Washington Golf and Country Club puts them in an awkward position when explaining the situation to their female family members, colleagues, and friends. The pushback against the plan stems from a desire for more parity in the club’s socializing spaces and a move towards creating more inclusive lounge areas for both men and women. Despite these objections, the club leadership has adamantly refused to scrap the gendered lounges, insisting that the renovation plans have been in development for years based on member feedback.
The controversy has raised questions about the club’s privileged bubble, with some members expressing concern about the discrepancy between John Burlingame’s professional reputation and his leadership of what they view as a “grossly misogynistic and outdated agenda” at the country club. Burlingame, a partner at a prominent law firm, has faced criticism for his role in maintaining the gender segregation at the club. Despite some members defending him and acknowledging the difficulty of his position, others believe he is missing an opportunity to lead the club in a discussion about the tradition of gendered spaces.
The club has responded to the members’ protests by stating that the $5 million renovation proposals have been developed over years with input from the community. The board has indicated that members will have the opportunity to vote on the financing of the renovation plans, suggesting that there is still room for changes to be proposed through the club’s governance structure. The standoff between the club leadership and the dissatisfied members highlights a broader debate about gender equality in exclusive social clubs and the resistance to change in traditionally male-dominated spaces. Despite the pushback, it remains to be seen whether the Washington Golf and Country Club will make any adjustments to its renovation plans in response to the objections raised by its members.
