Troon man’s key golf role
Club is consulting over lady members
T h e g o l f g u r u s p e a r h e a d i n g where future Open tournaments are held has been at the centre of national headlines and TV broadcasts.
And Johnnie ColeHamilton has been at pains to say Royal Troon won’t be pressured into accepting lady championship course members.
What has not been revealed is he grew up in the town.
Cole- Hamilton moved away in the mid- 1990s after leaving the family home.
Of course, his impartiality cannot be called into question.
But last week he said Royal Troon will have “time and space” to carry out a review on admitting women as full members.
The club is consulting members over whether to end its men- only policy.
Cole- Hamilton, the Royal & Ancient’s executive director of championships, said: “We look forward to the review.
“But we must give them, as a private club, the time and space to carry out that review so they can do it thoroughly and professionally.
“Royal Troon has always been aware that our view at the R& A is that golf should be open to all.
“We take our role very seriously and are very protective of the game and the future of the game.”
Meanwhile he confirmed that Turnberry - which held the 2009 event - was still on the Open rota despite owner Donald Trump’s immigration jibes.
Cole- Hamilton, who now lives on the outskirts of St Andrews, said: “We’ve announced the Open venues until 2019, and I think we’ve been clear saying that in 2020 and 2021 it’ll be in England or St Andrews, but there’s no talk of Turnberry being off the rota.
“It’s up to the championship committee to make that decision in due course.”