Jaime Diaz's column at Golf Digest is a little dated by Internet standards - I think I read it last week.  But, it poses a seemingly timeless question: when will a woman become a member at Augusta National?

Given the game's historically poor record in dealing with gender and race relations, the question of whether or not Augusta National should invite a woman to become a member is a completely different battle.  Diaz, though, is suggesting that former Secretary of State Condi Rice may well become the first female member at the storied club.

I'm guessing that one topic of discussion for the green jackets will be the implications of the midweek cameo by Condoleezza Rice, who not only made herself more visible at the club than any political figure since President Eisenhower, but then blogged about it for a cheeky website, The Daily Beast.

I think something bigger was going on, namely the first public hints since the end of Hootie Johnson's reign that the ultimate men's club is seriously considering bringing in its first female member.

In her blog, Rice's line that "Clearly, the faces of Augusta are changing as America is changing" seemed farcically diplomatic, unless she knows something we don't. But when she singled out Fuzzy Zoeller as "another favorite of mine,"she came off as a potential healer.

Diaz may be engaging in rampant speculation here.  He could be reaching for a story.  But given his excellent track record, I'd hardly suggest that.  Augusta National will move at its own pace, but if it does bring Rice - or any woman - into its exclusive ranks, it might serve as the greatest possible beacon that golf is opening its doors to all.

It might also help get us away from the epoch of golf that Triple Bogey Apparel's blog reminds us was not too far in the sport's rear view mirror.