(CNN) - Augusta National Golf Club has admitted its first female members, the private club announced Monday.
The decision to admit former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and business executive Darla Moore of Lake City, South Carolina, ends a longstanding policy excluding women as members of the exclusive Georgia club, which hosts the annual Masters Tournament.
"These accomplished women share our passion for the game of golf and both are well known and respected by our membership," Augusta Chairman Billy Payne said Monday. "It will be a proud moment when we present Condoleezza and Darla their Green Jackets when the Club opens this fall."
