Muirfield banned from hosting the Open after men only vote
The world's oldest golf club fails to drum up enough support to admit women members and is put into exile
The Scottish golf course Muirfield has been barred from hosting The Open after voting to uphold its policy of not accepting women as members.
The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, the world's oldest golf club which is based at the course, balloted members on the issue after a two-year consultation. It urged them to vote for an alteration to the constitution, but the move failed to reach the two-thirds majority required for change to take place.
The official result in the postal vote was 64 per cent for and 36 per cent against.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"A 33-strong group of Muirfield members cited concerns about slow play and making women 'feel uncomfortable' among the 'risks' of admitting female members when campaigning for a 'no' vote," reports The Times.
The Open's organisers, the Royal & Ancient (R&A), "acted quickly and decisively in the wake of the announcement", says the Daily Telegraph, which says it was "clearly braced for the decision and its statement from the chief executive, Martin Slumbers, was swift and unequivocal."
He said: "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."
Muirfield has hosted the Open 16 times since it was founded in 1891, most recently in 2013 when Phil Mickelson lifted the trophy.
However, there was controversy over the club's attitude towards women and the R&A pledged to "push" Muirfield to change its policy.
Alex Salmond, Scotland's First Minister, was among the political figures who did not attend the championship, describing the club's membership policy as "indefensible in the 21st century", notes the Times.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The Pentagon faces an uncertain future with Trump
Talking Point The president-elect has nominated conservative commentator Pete Hegseth to lead the Defense Department
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
This is what you should know about State Department travel advisories and warnings
In Depth Stay safe on your international adventures
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
'All Tyson-Paul promised was spectacle and, in the end, that's all we got'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
English cricket is ‘racist, sexist and elitist’, says independent report
Speed Read Chair of governing body apologises after crushing indictment of the sport ‘at all levels’
By Rebekah Evans Published
-
Cameron Smith: Aussie ‘mullet man’ storms to victory at The Open
Why Everyone’s Talking About Smith secured his first major title after holding off Cameron Young and Rory McIlroy at St Andrews
By Mike Starling Published
-
The Open 2022: predictions, players to watch, tee-times and TV
In Depth The 150th edition takes place at the home of golf – St Andrews in Scotland
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
By The Week Staff Published
-
Handball: swapping bikini bottoms for tight pants
Speed Read Women competitors will be required to ‘wear short tight pants with a close fit’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Cristiano Ronaldo’s second coming
Speed Read Last week, Manchester United re-signed the forward on a two-year deal thought to be worth more than £400,000 a week
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Collin Morikawa: The Open champion is ‘on course for greatness’
Why Everyone’s Talking About Californian became the only golfer to win two majors on a debut attempt
By The Week Staff Published
-
Bank holidays and boycotts: are MPs trying to jinx England?
Speed Read Declaring a bank holiday would be ‘tempting fate’, says Boris Johnson
By The Week Staff Published