Why would an exclusive, invitation-only country-club break standards?

I’m a member of a private country club and a gentlemen’s club in the city. Both are exclusive, invitation-only. Membership is a privilege, not a right. Like all clubs, invitation is based on their own particular standards – like-mindedness, place of graduation, certain status, affluence, culture, etc.

Today, when I was playing golf, I noticed a black man in the club. For decades there has never been a minority in this club and this person certainly does not have much in common with the members of the club. Why would they invite one now?

I know for certain that it is not because of discriminatory pressure because by law, federal civil rights statutes only apply to public services. Since these statutes do not have any control over religious organizations or private clubs, discrimination is allowed.

I can think of only two reasons for this. Either this a token black man for political correctness or the owner of the country club is receiving income from a public business that is tied into the club. The local government might be threatening to take away his property tax breaks or other tax deductions.

What do you think? What other reasons might there be?