Cleveland Mississippi Country Club refuses woman entry in event

The annual event is not for men only, but a girl has never played in it before.

In 2024, in Cleveland, Mississippi, at the Cleveland Country Club, a woman has been refused entry into an annual tournament. “The golf pro admits that it does not state anywhere that it is a men’s only tournament, but a girl has never played in the tournament before,” said the mother of the exluded player.

The mother’s social media post explains the family has participated in the event, and been a part of the tournament family for decades. “We have made this a tradition, and gather together yearly to catch up with each other, drive through campus, see what new restaurants have been added, how the town has grown/changed, and what is still there since our time there.”

“This year, my husband’s usual tournament partner could not play because he is participating in his nieces wedding, so Stephen needed to find a temporary partner. Insert Lauren, our daughter would be home for the first summer in quite some time,” explains mom, Chelle Gross.

They fill out the usual paperwork, make travel plans and book rooms for a nice family weekend to catch up with old friends and continue a tradition. On Thursday morning they receive a phone call telling them Lauren would not be allowed to play.

“We ask why? She is a girl is the only reason given,” said Gross.

Mom Gross said, “We then proceed to ask if we missed something. Is it stated anywhere that it is a Men’s Tournament? Does it say men’s only? The golf pro admits that it does not state anywhere that it is a men’s only tournament, but a girl has never played in the tournament before.”

“My husband explains that if it had stated it were a men’s tournament, he would never have asked her to play. He explained that we are fine with men or women only tournaments, and was unaware that women were not allowed to play. Not one of the people that play with them on a regular basis believed that she would not be welcome. Stephen explained how wrong he felt like the club was for the decision, but also for calling less than 24 hours before they were to leave town to travel to Cleveland. He explained that Lauren expected no special treatment and that she would play from the men’s tees like everyone else. She just wanted to play.”

The Country Club asked for some time to discuss it and shortly called back to say the decision would stand, Lauren can not play. According to Gross, the Country Club said they didn’t want to open that “can of worms.”

A call was made to the family from a country club board member who was an old schoolmate of Stephen’s. The board member asked for a little time to discuss it with the rest of the board.

Yesterday, the day before event, at around 10:15 a.m., the final decision from the Country Club was that Lauren would not be able to play.

Robert at the Cleveland Country Club Pro Shop spoke briefly with the Vicksburg Daily News and asked that we speak with the Head Pro, who was not available. Robert did not have a phone number for the Head Pro. Robert did offer, “I can tell you the situation has been addressed with the appropriate people and has been taken care of and that is about the only comment to be made.” When asked directly if that meant Lauren was allowed to play, Robert said, “She is not playing, no sir.”

The Country Club is open to woman, has events for women and they are currently featuring a woman on their social media profile.

One person commented, “She should have told them she identified as a man. They would have had to let her play!!!” Chelle Gross responded, “She would never falsely represent herself. That wouldn’t be right. She took it like a man and they went to play golf at Mallard Point.”

For her part, Lauren wants everyone to know she is fine, but that this story needs to be told. Mom Chelle said, “She thinks it happened to her for a reason.”

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At the time of publication the Head Pro had not contacted the Vicksburg Daily News.