The Augusta National Golf Club’s tradition of admitting only male members has been highlighted by speculation around how the club will handle Virginia Rometty, the new CEO of IBM, a major Masters Tournament sponsor. The club hosts the tournament and typically offers the iconic green jacket to the officers of the club’s major sponsors.

“I encourage Augusta to accept women members, but I recognize their right as a private organization to decide for themselves,” he said in a statement e-mailed to reporters.

The club, which opened in 1933, allows women to play as guests but not as members.