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Men Behaving Badly

Continued from page 2

Published on July 18, 2007 at 5:02pm

And for all its members' bad behavior, the club has an ace in the hole on the public relations front. Logan Van Sittert was on the board of directors for six years and served as president for one. "At no time during that period did he or Ms. Van Sittert seek to eliminate any gender-based restriction on the use of the Club's dining facilities," writes Donald Peder Johnsen, the club's lawyer.

Mark Andresen

Subject(s):

Phoenix Country Club

As it turns out, Mr. Van Sittert is also an architect. And in that role, Peder Johnsen writes, he was "instrumental" in the club's renovation in the 1980s. One of the things Van Sittert worked on, according to Peder Johnsen? The design of the separate men's and women's grills.

As far as skeletons in the closet go, it's nothing nearly so dirty a secret as a prominent doctor or lawyer graffiti-ing "bitch" or "whore" on the golf course. But I have to admit, the irony is pretty delicious.

show/hide comments (12) write your comment

I'll start caring about this around the time you also write an article decrying the 'women only' gyms in the valle.y
Comment by lujlp from Queen Creek on Jul 19th, 2007, 13:24 pm
Seconded. To be perfectly honest, they don't bother me at all. Except when I'm attempting to find a job at a gym and 3/4 of the ads specify "women only". Much like the old "No Irish Need Apply" signs, don't you think? Ignorant hyperbole, of course.

Which is what your article consists of.
Comment by Ryon from Chandler on Jul 20th, 2007, 14:40 pm
Separate but equal really isn't equal at all, right? I don't think it would matter if the women's grill was exactly the same or not.
Comment by Chris from Phoenix on Jul 22nd, 2007, 12:05 pm
I am a 49 year old female and I am sickened at times by the actions of women in the name of "equal rights" - give me a break ladies - go form your own club and leave the mens club as it is. There is nothing wrong with men and women having thier own separate places to socialize. Jeez, when will this stop ?
Comment by Sue from Mesa on Jul 26th, 2007, 05:38 am
I have to agree with the first commenter; that's exactly what went through my mind. There are women-only gyms, and many other women-only establishments and groups, yet none of these supposed "equalitarians" have a problem with that. The only time they care is if it is male-only. As the saying goes, they want everything to be equal, as long as they are a little more "equal" than men. Pshaw!
Comment by hurkle from Scottsdale on Jul 26th, 2007, 09:44 am
I'm surprised you didn't mention that the Van Sitterts' attorney, David Bodney, used to be the Editor of Phoenix New Times years ago. Shouldn't this have been mentioned in the interest of full disclosure? Especially when a "mystery" package of documents arrives at the New Times offices, readers should know the attorney's connection to the paper, no?
Comment by Maureen Olson from Phoenix on Jul 29th, 2007, 12:57 pm
Go Barbara and Logan from Francine, Sam and Chelsea. We all knew each other in the 60s and 70s, when John Hardaway and I belonged to the club. Francine tried to do this in the 70s and got her ass kicked out of the club. Keep fighting!!!!!!! I'm so sorry John isn't alive to see this...
Comment by francine hardaway from phoenix on Jul 17th, 2007, 20:07 pm
i love people watching, especially of the female type (except for a nagging wife/girlfriend) i don't get the rule no dames aloud.
but what's up with , womens workout world, and all the other LADIES ONLY CLUBS
national negro college fund and all the other BLACK ONLY CLUBS, Asian American Assoc., the point is sometimes whoever you maybe you "NOT WANTED!!!"
GET OVER IT!
Comment by rich from peoria on Jul 18th, 2007, 09:05 am
He we go with another female poo-pooing another "guys group". Anytime men have something exclusive to them and want to keep it that way the ladies just can't wait to jump in and make them all seem like a bunch of immature, sexist cavemen. Like another comment before everywhere you go nowadays there are women only clubs, groups, organizations, etc. and I don't see the guys clamoring to get in. Even the gym I go to has a "women only" workout room and you don't see me crying at the front desk because I'm not welcome in there. Men need fraternity and I don't see the harm in a little exclusivity. Like the author said, women reporters even go to the men's locker room now for crying out loud. Is there ANYWHERE men can go to be with men? Let the boys have their clubs, god knows the girls got plenty of theirs.
Comment by Steve from Mesa on Jul 18th, 2007, 11:59 am
While I certainly don't agree with the tactics I just don't get why men cant have a place of their own. I mean has there ever been a guy at Curves Fitness? It states right on the front page of their web site "Dedicated to women's fitness..." and how many womens only spas and gyms are there? If the women want a place to call their own they have every right to open their own, and if it isn't as cool as the mens place who's fault is that? I am all for womens rights, but cant a guy just be a guy at a guys place without having a 2 drink minimum and a stripper pole in the middle? I would think women would rather it be a country club than having us see Bambi shake her tits for for a fistful of dollar bills.
Comment by Rob from Glendale on Jul 18th, 2007, 12:39 pm
"The Men's Grill may be one of the few remaining vestiges of a time when men did the deals and women served the drinks."

Sarah Fenske: I am a woman born in 1948. Welcome to having to figure out, all over again, why a place like the Men's Grill at PCC is where you can enjoy butting your head against the glass ceiling over and over again... And where Bob Brightwhiteteeth will be introduced to Jerry Colangelo or any other mover and shaker and will get to show what a team player he is and where the deal will be struck to hire him instead of you. This kind of crap goes on all the time and you can bet that more than one woman in Phoenix has lost her chance for career advancement in favor of some good old boy getting a leg up over an equally qualified woman.
Comment by Maryis on Jul 18th, 2007, 17:21 pm
I say who cares - if the men want to have a "men's club" - let them - where do I sign my husband up? I think men need "male bonding" time - just as women need their "girls night outs". Isn't there more to worry about in this world?
Comment by Stella from LOS ANGELES on Aug 23rd, 2007, 12:03 pm

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National Features >

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By Joe Eskenazi

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By Laura Onstot

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By Wayne Barrett

Men Behaving Badly

Continued from page 2

Published on July 18, 2007 at 5:02pm

Mark Andresen

Subject(s):

Phoenix New Times Insiders

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