Muirfield loses British Open after rejecting women members

Agence France Presse


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London (AFP) - Scottish golf course Muirfield has lost its status as a British Open venue after voting against admitting female members, the sport's joint ruling body the R&A announced on Thursday.

A proposal to allow female members did not receive the required two-thirds majority needed, with 387 members -- or 64 percent -- voting in favour and 219 members -- or 36 percent -- voting against.

The R&A -- encompassing the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews -- reacted immediately by announcing that Muirfield will no longer be selected as a venue for the Open, which is golf's oldest major.

"The Open is one of the world's great sporting events and going forward we will not stage the Championship at a venue that does not admit women as members," said R&A CEO Martin Slummers in a statement.

Scotland's political leader, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, branded Muirfield's decision "indefensible".

In an open letter to members of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (HCEG), the club, located to the east of Edinburgh, had recommended that they vote in favour of the resolution.

But after the postal ballot of members failed to reach the required threshold, the R&A announced that it was dropping Muirfield from its 10-course Open venue roster.

"We have consistently said that it is a matter for the Honourable Company to conduct a review of its membership policy and that we would await their decision," Slummers said.

"The R&A has considered today's decision with respect to The Open Championship. The Open is one of the world's great sporting events and going forward we will not stage the Championship at a venue that does not admit women as members.

"Given the schedule for staging The Open, it would be some years before Muirfield would have been considered to host the Championship again. If the policy at the club should change, we would reconsider Muirfield as a venue for The Open in future."

- Troon to vote -

Announcing the result of the ballot, Muirfield captain Henry Fairweather said: "The Honourable Company is a members club, and, as such, the members decide the Rules of the Club, including its membership policy.

"Women will continue to be welcome at Muirfield on the course and in the clubhouse as guests and visitors, as they have been for many years."

Sturgeon wrote on Twitter: "Scotland has women leaders in every walk of life. It is 2016. This is simply indefensible."

The records of the club show that women have played golf at Muirfield since 1904.

Women's and men's single-sex golf clubs, although reducing in number, have been a feature of golf provision in Great Britain and Ireland and comply fully with equality legislation.

Muirfield has staged the Open on 16 occasions since 1892 and most recently in 2013, when America's Phil Mickelson won. It was due to host the Open again in 2023.

Royal Troon, the venue for this year's Open, is also an all-male club. It will vote later this year on whether to become a mixed club.