Top golf club to let women join af ter 273 years

Muirfield ends ban on female members

ONE of Scotland’s most prestigious golf clubs has finally voted to admit women members – less than a year after it confirmed its men-only policy.

Last May, the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers at Muirfield – one of the oldest clubs in the world – held a historic vote on allowing women to join.

The decision to maintain the status quo prompted global outrage, with the First Minister branding it ‘indefensible’ and Open Championship organisers removing the course from the rota.

But yesterday the club, founded in 1744, revealed that a second postal vote has now granted women the right to join.

In the ballot, 498 of the 621 votes cast were in favour, with 123 against – an 80 per cent vote for change.

Women will now be allowed to apply for membership, but they can expect to wait around six years to join.

At the course in Gullane, East Lothian, yesterday, club captain Henry Fairweather said: ‘The rules of the club will be changed with immediate effect. We look forward to welcoming women as members who will enjoy and benefit from the tradition and the friendship of this remarkable club.’

The R&A then confirmed that Muirfield was again eligible to host the Open Championship.

Mr Fairweather denied the R&A withholding the Open – held 16 times at the club – or pressure from the Government or business had directly influenced the vote.

He said: ‘The most important thing has been to decide what is the right thing for the future, longterm interests of the club. That has been the committee’s main concern throughout, rather than simply to retain the Open.’

He admitted the decision to withhold the Open may have influ- enced individual voters, but declined to give any single reason why the members of the club had made the U-turn.

Mr Fairweather said: ‘Every member will have made up their minds – we’ve got 600-plus independently minded members and they will have all made their decision for their own reasons.

‘But since the last ballot in May last year we have been engaging in an active dialogue with all of the members. We’ve been trying to reassure members their concerns can be met and that the great traditions and spirit of this club can be maintained.’

Reacting to yesterday’s decision on Twitter, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: ‘Well done, Muirfield – decision to admit women members emphatic & the right one. Look forward to seeing you host the Open again in future.’

R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said: ‘We can confirm Muirfield will become a venue for the Open once again. It is a truly outstanding venue and we very much look forward to taking the championship back there.’

Last year, Royal Troon voted ‘overwhelmingly’ in favour of allowing women to become members of the club ahead of it hosting the Open Championship.