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Muirfield loses right to hold Open after voting to remain men-only Muirfield loses right to hold Open after voting to remain men-only
(35 minutes later)
One of Scotland’s last remaining men-only golf courses has lost its right to hold the Open championship after its members voted to continue to exclude women.One of Scotland’s last remaining men-only golf courses has lost its right to hold the Open championship after its members voted to continue to exclude women.
A two-thirds majority was required for the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, which runs the Muirfield course in East Lothian, to alter its constitution so that women could join, but this was not met following a postal ballot of its members. A two-thirds majority was required for the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, which runs the Muirfield course in East Lothian, to alter its constitution, but this was not met following a postal ballot of its members.
Martin Slumbers, chief executive of the Royal and Ancient, which organises the Open tournament, said that it would not be held in future at a venue that did not admit women members. Martin Slumbers, chief executive of the Royal and Ancient, which organises the Open tournament, said it would not be held in future at a venue that did not admit women members.
Related: Scotland’s female leaders call for end to sexist golf club rulesRelated: Scotland’s female leaders call for end to sexist golf club rules
Slumbers 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.Slumbers 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.”“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.”
On Wednesday it emerged that a group of around 30 members of the East Lothian course had written to fellow golfers ahead of a ballot on whether to end the historical rule, urging them to reject the change.On Wednesday it emerged that a group of around 30 members of the East Lothian course had written to fellow golfers ahead of a ballot on whether to end the historical rule, urging them to reject the change.
Related: R&A golf club ends 260-year ban on women membersRelated: R&A golf club ends 260-year ban on women members
The letter argued that “a traditional resistance to change is one of the foundations of our unique position in golf and our reputation”.The letter argued that “a traditional resistance to change is one of the foundations of our unique position in golf and our reputation”.
Scotland’s three female party leaders have all challenged the men-only policy, and suggested that they would be unlikely to attend any tournament held there. Scotland’s three female party leaders have all challenged the men-only policy, and suggested they would be unlikely to attend any tournament held there.
Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first female first minister, described the vote as “indefensible”. Responding to the news on Twitter, she said: Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first female first minister, described the vote as indefensible. Responding to the news on Twitter, she said:
Scotland has women leaders in every walk of life. It is 2016. This is simply indefensible. https://t.co/qrULGuFG8vScotland has women leaders in every walk of life. It is 2016. This is simply indefensible. https://t.co/qrULGuFG8v
Royal Troon, which will host this year’s Open in July, is the only other male-only Scottish club on the tournament’s rota, and is currently undertaking a review of its own membership policy. Royal Troon currently shares its facilities with Troon Ladies, and will host the Open jointly with the women’s club.Royal Troon, which will host this year’s Open in July, is the only other male-only Scottish club on the tournament’s rota, and is currently undertaking a review of its own membership policy. Royal Troon currently shares its facilities with Troon Ladies, and will host the Open jointly with the women’s club.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Royal Troon captain, Martin Cheyne, said of the policy review: “We care very much for the reputation of Royal Troon Golf Club and it is important the club, much like the wider game, reflects the modern society in which we exist.”In a statement on Tuesday, the Royal Troon captain, Martin Cheyne, said of the policy review: “We care very much for the reputation of Royal Troon Golf Club and it is important the club, much like the wider game, reflects the modern society in which we exist.”