When the 2020 Summer OIympics go to Tokyo, at least officials there won't have to create a new golf course for the event. That doesn't mean there aren't challenges to address between now and then.
Kasumigaseki Country Club traditionally has been a men's only club, but that practice appears to be changing, according to the International Olympic Committee. In January, club officials announced that there were no plans to change their membership policy of excluding women from having full golf privileges. That potential shift in policy is in response to a directive from the IOC chief telling the club to become more accepting of women, or else the games' governing body will find somewhere else to play in three years.
"Our principles are based on non-discrimination, that's the position we've made quite clear," said IOC vice president John Coates in several published reports.
"There has been progress - as recently as this week there have been more discussions with the club (to suggest) it's heading in the right direction for them to have a non-discriminatory membership procedure."
Built in 1929, Kasumigaseki Country Club underwent a 2014 restoration by Tom Fazio.
The choice of a men's only facility for an event that will include competition for the worlds best women players seems curious at best, and the club and the IOC have come under fire from several fronts in the past six weeks. At least one group inside Japan dedicated to advancing women's rights issues already has demanded the competition be moved, and Lydia Ko, one of the LPGAs brightest young stars also has spoken out about hoping the matter is resolved soon.
The issue wasn't even part of the news cycle until mid-January when Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike publicly urged the club to admit women as full members, according to The Associated Press.
Coates told reporters he hoped the situation would be resolved by this summer, otherwise the IOC will be forced to find a new venue. The IOC does not have a hard deadline for the club to change its policy, but hopes the matter can be resolved by this summer.