Justin Rose of England hits a shot on the 18th ahead of the 142nd Open Championship at Muirfield on July 17, 2013 in Gullane, Scotland. Photo: Getty Images
The 142nd British Open started on Sunday at the home of Scotland‘s Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, Muirfield.
But rather than celebrating the display of the world’s oldest golfing club hosting golf’s oldest major, media attention has focused on Muirfield’s membership policy: females are not allowed.
Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond confirmed over the weekend that he would not be attending the tournament, saying that “it’s just indefensible in the 21st century not to have golf clubs open to both males and females.”
He insisted back in June that the sport’s governing body, the Royal and Ancient, should pressure Muirfield to change its rules in time for the tournament, a suggestion that Peter Dawson, RA’s chief executive, said would amount to “bullying” of clubs.
The club itself has stayed fairly quiet on the matter. It issued a statement through a public relations agency saying that it “welcomes women to play either as visitors or guests year round”.
Muirfield has also pointed out that it has played host to many women’s tournaments, including the Curtis Cup.
In a press conference on Wednesday Dawson promised that the RA will take a look at the issue. Dawson stated that attempts to draw a comparison between men-only clubs and clubs organized by race were “absurd.” – Time Sports
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