ALBANY, Ga. - Nancy Lopez said she doesn't mind Augusta National's long-standing policy prohibiting women from becoming members.<br>
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"You know, I hate that that has come up because I have always respected the tradition at Augusta," Lopez told the Albany Herald. "And it was never a tradition of male or female to me, it was always just tradition."<br>
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Lopez also said she's not fighting for women's membership but would accept if she were invited to join Augusta, which hosts the Masters.<br>
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Martha Burk, the chairwoman of the National Council of Women's Organizations, said she's disappointed a female golfer of Lopez's stature would accept the policy.<br>
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"I think that as the most prominent women's golfer of the last generation, her support for our campaign could go a long way," Burk said.<br>
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Burk's organization has been lobbying prominent Augusta National members to convince the club's leadership to change its membership policy.<br>
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Lopez has won 48 tournaments, including three LPGA championships in 25 years on the tour. She has played Augusta twice with a member.<br>
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"I don't feel women have to go join Augusta because it's really not a man-woman issue. It's just understood," Lopez said. "I don't feel like there's discrimination there."<br>
