How Will Caitlyn Jenner's Country Club Handle Her Gender Change?
THOUSAND OAKS (CBSLA.com) — This week, the reality star formerly known as Bruce Jenner introduced herself to the world as Caitlyn Jenner, posing in a glamorous bustier for Vanity Fair's cover story on her gender change.
The Olympic gold medalist is a member of the exclusive Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks. Members say the club has strict policies that exclude women from certain activities, so will Jenner now face new rules?
CBS2/KCAL9's Jeff Nguyen spoke with Kathy Zetterberg, who's been a Sherwood member since 2000, at nearby Westlake Municipal Golf Course.
Zetterberg says Sherwood has separate dining areas for men and women. The women's Vista Grille, like much of the club, is undergoing renovations.
"Is it fair to say that the Vista Grille is not as nice as the men's grille?" Nguyen asked.
Zetterberg replied, "To be honest, I've never seen the men's grille. I don't think there's a lot of women who have seen the men's grille."
When asked how they would handle Jenner's gender change, club officials said: "Caitlyn Jenner will continue to be a valued member of Sherwood Country Club, enjoying all it has to offer its members."
Joe Buttitta, a golf pro and coach at Westlake, had played at Sherwood and has seen Jenner on the greens for years.
"As far as I know, the women at Sherwood must enjoy what's going on as it is now because I haven't heard any uproar," said Buttitta, but added that traditions at country clubs need to change with the times.
USC Law School Professor Clare Pastore, who's also served as an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union, said, "If they're truly a private club, I don't think there's a legal case to be made that the women's locker room has to be as nice or the women's tee times have to be as good."
Zetterberg says Jenner's new gender identity may inspire change at Sherwood: "Of course, as a woman, I'd like to see it change. I want to empower my daughter to feel that she can step into any place."
Jenner will make her first public appearance in July at the ESPY Awards, where she'll receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award for bravery. All of her children are expected to attend.