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Butler National Golf Club Weighs Whether To Start Admitting Women

OAK BROOK, Ill. (CBS) -- Times may be changing at the exclusive Butler National Golf Club in Oak Brook.

As WBBM Newsradio's Mike Krauser reports, the club is reportedly considering allowing women to become members.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Mike Krauser reports

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Butler National is ranked 54th on the Golf Digest list of "America's 100 Greatest" golf courses. The initiation fee is in the six figures.

The Chicago Tribune reports the club has African-American, Asian, Latino and Jewish members, but they're all men. Women are not allowed on the property.

The Tribune reports members would have a say on changing the men-only rule, and making such a change would probably require the vote of 75 percent of club membership.

Locally, women are not allowed at the Bob O'Link and Old Elm golf clubs in Highland Park, and the Black Sheep Golf Club in Sugar Grove, according to the Tribune.

WBBM Newsradio's Dave Berner visited the Black Sheep for an article for Golf Illinois, and was told by founder Vince Salano Jr. that the gender restriction was a "marketing decision" based on the fact that few women would put down an $85,000 for a club that focused only on golf.

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