The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Muirfield right up to scratch for R&A
The R&A is “thrilled” with the way the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers have embraced their historic hosting of the AIG Women’s Open at Muirfield this August.
The club that became most identified with the issue of refusing women as members has been “immensely supportive” of championship preparations.
“We couldn’t have had more commitment and enthusiasm,” said the R&A’S director of corporate communications, Karen Myers, at the championship launch yesterday.
“Around 150 members of the club have volunteered to help during the week. We’ve been working for two years with the clubhouse and course management teams.
“There’s genuine excitement among the club members, and also the players who will experience the course in competition for the first time.”
Muirfield’s 250-year ban on women members finally ended after a factious process in 2017.
Criticism of the policy had escalated after the Open Championship of 2013 and an initial vote which rejected a change to a mixed membership in 2016.
That led to the course being removed from the R&A’S pool of Open venues.
It was reinstated after the approval of women members, and the club was awarded the 2022 AIG Women’s Open a year later.
There are now 20 women members of the club.
The decision to go to Muirfield was part of the R&A’S strategy to raise the profile of the women’s championship.
That’s also seen the total prize fund double in the space of five years to an expected $6.8 million this August.
“Our vision is to create a world-class championship for the world’s best women players,” said Myers.
“Those who were at Carnoustie last year will have experienced some of that.
“The welcome, the set-up, everything the Honourable Company have committed to since the day we asked to bring the championship here has been everything we could have wished for.
“We’re all in a position that we’re moving and looking forward. Those who want to dwell on history will do so.
“The history of the Honourable Company is now really their artefacts and the wonderful story of golf they have here.
“Everyone who is at the championship will experience what is on offer here. They will feel nothing but the fantastic commitment the club have.”
The policy to elevate the championship will see the R&A build a players’ facility equal to that of the men’s Open on site.
The course will play to a par 71 at around 6,680 yards, with adjustments for wind direction.
Ticket sales have been solid, and the R&A is expecting a 36,000 total for the week.
“We raised the prize money at Carnoustie to $5.8m and said then it would be $6.8m this year,” added Myers.
“It could still be a bit more than that. It’s been our stated intention to move closer to parity. But any further rise has to be sustainable, it has to be viable.
“It’s a complex issue because it depends on stakeholders including media, sponsors and broadcasters.
“A commitment to raise the profile of women’s golf in their world will drive the championship’s income.”