Golf club called police on 5 black women members, apologized, now defends itself

Ted Czech | York Daily Record

Show Caption Hide Caption Grandview Golf Course responds to race, gender bias allegations JJ Chronister responds to allegations made against Grandview Golf Course related to race and gender bias.

The five African-American women who say they were discriminated against Saturday at Grandview Golf Club in Dover Township, Pa., — in terms of both race and gender — said Tuesday a second statement from the club signifies a "backpedaling" and "backtracking" by the club.

"I don't know why they changed their story," said Carolyn Dow, one of the five women.

In the second statement on Monday, the club references conversations staff had with the women about pace of play, stating "During the second conversation we asked members to leave as per our policy noted on the scorecard, voices escalated, and police were called to ensure an amicable resolution."

However, a statement released by co-owner JJ Chronister on Sunday has what the women have said is a vastly different tone, stating in part, "We are disappointed that this situation occurred and regret that our members were made to feel uncomfortable in any way."

"They are spinning this story," said another of the group, Sandra Harrison. "They're grabbing at straws. That's not how to get a resolution ... all it's going to do is cause more contention."

More: Golf Club gets national attention after police called on black members

More: 5 black women allege racist incident at York County golf course.

The women — Sandra Thompson, 50; Myneca Ojo, 56; sisters Harrison, 59, and Dow, 56, and Karen Crosby, 58 — said Tuesday they are experienced golfers and that they were in fact keeping the pace of play.

On Saturday, they said they were at first told they were not keeping the pace of play by former York County Commissioner Steve Chronister, who they said told them he was the club's owner.

Later, they were confronted by Steve Chonister and son and co-owner Jordan Chronister, who is married to JJ Chronister, who told them they had taken too long of a break between the first and second halves of the course. They were then asked to leave, offered their membership money refunded, and the police were called.

"It definitely sounds like they're backtracking," said Crosby. "I don't apologize to people I don't think I've wronged. All of a sudden, the message is changing, because we did not consent to the meeting on Sunday."

Northern York County Regional Police Chief Mark Bentzel said Monday no charges were filed against two women who stayed to play the remaining nine holes of the course.

The women, including Ojo and Thompson, said Tuesday they remain interested in meeting with JJ Chronister, but they need to meet as a group and discuss the timing and scope of the meeting.

JJ Chronister could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Complete first statement by Grandview, released on Sunday:

“Yesterday at Grandview Golf Club, several of our members had an experience that does not reflect our organization’s values or our commitment to delivering a welcoming environment for everyone. We are disappointed that this situation occurred and regret that our members were made to feel uncomfortable in any way. We have reached out to the members who shared their concerns to meet in-person, to fully understand what happened so that we can ensure it never happens again. Our team is very sorry for any interaction that may have made any member feel uncomfortable. Please know that we are taking this issue very seriously and expect our own organization to meet the highest standards for service that allows for everyone to feel comfortable and welcome.”

Complete second statement by Grandview, released on Monday:

Grandview currently has 2400 members. In the past players who have not followed the rules, specifically pace of play, have voluntarily left at our request as our scorecard states. In this instance, the members refused to leave so we called police to ensure an amicable result. The members did skip holes and took an extended break after the 9th hole. We spoke with them once about pace of play and then spoke with them a second time. During the second conversation we asked members to leave as per our policy noted on the scorecard, voices escalated, and police were called to ensure an amicable resolution.