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R&A decision to admit women is hailed as symbolic moment for sport R&A decision to admit women is hailed as symbolic moment for sport
(34 minutes later)
The historic and long overdue decision to allow women to become members of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews has been welcomed by campaigners, golfers and politicians.The historic and long overdue decision to allow women to become members of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews has been welcomed by campaigners, golfers and politicians.
Many said the decision was a symbolic moment for women’s sport and would increase pressure on the three remaining men-only clubs on the Open rota to follow suit and open their membership lists to all.Many said the decision was a symbolic moment for women’s sport and would increase pressure on the three remaining men-only clubs on the Open rota to follow suit and open their membership lists to all.
After 260 years, three-quarters of the R&A’s 2,400 members decided by an 85% majority to accept women members on the same day as voters across Scotland were deciding the nation’s future.After 260 years, three-quarters of the R&A’s 2,400 members decided by an 85% majority to accept women members on the same day as voters across Scotland were deciding the nation’s future.
The club secretary, Peter Dawson, who has previously defended the ban but before the postal vote urged members to do what was “right for golf”, made the announcement in front of the famous clubhouse that will now be open to female members.The club secretary, Peter Dawson, who has previously defended the ban but before the postal vote urged members to do what was “right for golf”, made the announcement in front of the famous clubhouse that will now be open to female members.
“The membership has also acted to fast-track a significant initial number of women to become members in the coming months,” said Dawson. “This is a very important and positive day in the history of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club. The R&A has served the sport of golf well for 260 years and I am confident that the club will continue to do so in future with the support of all its members, both women and men.”“The membership has also acted to fast-track a significant initial number of women to become members in the coming months,” said Dawson. “This is a very important and positive day in the history of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club. The R&A has served the sport of golf well for 260 years and I am confident that the club will continue to do so in future with the support of all its members, both women and men.”
Around 15 women who have made a significant contribution to the sport will be approached for fast-track membership and all future applications treated on an equal basis.Around 15 women who have made a significant contribution to the sport will be approached for fast-track membership and all future applications treated on an equal basis.
The vote is doubly significant because not only does it allow women to become members at the “home of golf” but for the first time they will become involved in its governance. The R & A acts as the game’s lawmaking and governing body outside the US and Mexico.The vote is doubly significant because not only does it allow women to become members at the “home of golf” but for the first time they will become involved in its governance. The R & A acts as the game’s lawmaking and governing body outside the US and Mexico.
The commercial arm of the R&A, which organises the Open, was spun off around 10 years ago but because its committees are staffed by members women effectively remained excluded until now.The commercial arm of the R&A, which organises the Open, was spun off around 10 years ago but because its committees are staffed by members women effectively remained excluded until now.
The sports minister, Helen Grant, has made equal representation on the boards of governing bodies a priority. She welcomed the news and called on others to follow suit. “This is positive news for the sport and I hope we will now see other golf clubs that still have outdated same sex policies follow suit,” said Grant. “With golf in the next Olympics there is a huge opportunity for the sport to grow and this sends out the right inclusive message that golf is for everyone.” The sports minister, Helen Grant, has made equal representation on the boards of governing bodies a priority. She welcomed the news and called on others to follow suit. “This is positive news for the sport and I hope we will now see other golf clubs that still have outdated same-sex policies follow suit,” said Grant. “With golf in the next Olympics there is a huge opportunity for the sport to grow and this sends out the right inclusive message that golf is for everyone.”
The decision removes one of the last bastions of male-only domination in sport and puts pressure on the three remaining courses on the Open rota with the same policy – at Royal Troon, Muirfield and Royal St George’s in Kent – to do the same.The decision removes one of the last bastions of male-only domination in sport and puts pressure on the three remaining courses on the Open rota with the same policy – at Royal Troon, Muirfield and Royal St George’s in Kent – to do the same.
When Augusta, home of the US Masters, decided in August 2012 to invite two female members – the former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and South Carolina financier Darla Moore – to join its exclusive club, it hugely increased the pressure on the R&A to follow suit.When Augusta, home of the US Masters, decided in August 2012 to invite two female members – the former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and South Carolina financier Darla Moore – to join its exclusive club, it hugely increased the pressure on the R&A to follow suit.
The 2013 Open at Muirfield also proved something of a watershed, with media coverage of the issue dominating the build up and several guests and politicians opting to stay away.The 2013 Open at Muirfield also proved something of a watershed, with media coverage of the issue dominating the build up and several guests and politicians opting to stay away.
There were well founded fears among sponsors and others within the game that the discriminatory stance of the R&A was hindering golf’s attempts to broaden its appeal. The PGA of America president Ted Bishop said he was “thrilled” by the decision.There were well founded fears among sponsors and others within the game that the discriminatory stance of the R&A was hindering golf’s attempts to broaden its appeal. The PGA of America president Ted Bishop said he was “thrilled” by the decision.
“Women have played and will continue to play an integral role in the game of golf. In fact, women represent the biggest growth market in the sport and every step to make golf more inclusive is good for the game,” he said.“Women have played and will continue to play an integral role in the game of golf. In fact, women represent the biggest growth market in the sport and every step to make golf more inclusive is good for the game,” he said.
The LGPA said it was happy to hear of the decision, which it said was “certainly a step in the right direction and one that better captures the current diversity and inclusiveness of our great game.”The LGPA said it was happy to hear of the decision, which it said was “certainly a step in the right direction and one that better captures the current diversity and inclusiveness of our great game.”
Dame Laura Davies, one of the best known names in female golf, said the vote was a major watershed for the women’s game. “I think it is great news – back when I turned pro I would never have imagined that this could ever happen,” she said. “I think it is a huge step forward for the R&A and women’s golf and everyone will be delighted with the result.”Dame Laura Davies, one of the best known names in female golf, said the vote was a major watershed for the women’s game. “I think it is great news – back when I turned pro I would never have imagined that this could ever happen,” she said. “I think it is a huge step forward for the R&A and women’s golf and everyone will be delighted with the result.”
Eighteen-year-old Charley Hull, who is at the beginning of her career on the Ladies Tour, also praised the decision. “I think it’s fantastic – I am sure it’s because the members were so impressed how amazing the women played at last year’s Ricoh Women’s British Open over the Old Course,” she said. “Golf needs to get a bit more modern and we can’t be doing with single-sex golf clubs in this day and age, especially not ones where majors are held.”Eighteen-year-old Charley Hull, who is at the beginning of her career on the Ladies Tour, also praised the decision. “I think it’s fantastic – I am sure it’s because the members were so impressed how amazing the women played at last year’s Ricoh Women’s British Open over the Old Course,” she said. “Golf needs to get a bit more modern and we can’t be doing with single-sex golf clubs in this day and age, especially not ones where majors are held.”
Ruth Holdaway, chief executive of the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation said it was “a symbolic step in the move towards full equality in sport and for golf in particular”. But she added: “It is disappointing that we are even having to have this discussion in 2014, and today’s result must mark the beginning of a message which states that sport cannot treat women as second-class citizens.”Ruth Holdaway, chief executive of the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation said it was “a symbolic step in the move towards full equality in sport and for golf in particular”. But she added: “It is disappointing that we are even having to have this discussion in 2014, and today’s result must mark the beginning of a message which states that sport cannot treat women as second-class citizens.”
The admittance of golf into the Olympics from 2016 increased the pressure on the R&A to change its policy on female membership given the International Olympic Committee’s commitment to equality.The admittance of golf into the Olympics from 2016 increased the pressure on the R&A to change its policy on female membership given the International Olympic Committee’s commitment to equality.
Pressure from sponsors also played a key role. HSBC’s global head of sponsorship Giles Morgan said he welcomed the decision “with open arms”.Pressure from sponsors also played a key role. HSBC’s global head of sponsorship Giles Morgan said he welcomed the decision “with open arms”.