Muirfield, women, the R&A and The Open

[Capella]

In a hilarious bit of irony, as 'Outbrain' has picked up 'women' and 'golf', at the bottom of the page, where The Telegraph is slamming Muirfield for sexism, you can find links to "The 15 Hottest LPGA Players 2015" and "15 Stunning Female Athletes That Are Way Out Of Your League"

Nice observation. And somehow stuff like that bothers me way more than a few old rich guys who want to keep to themselves in their private exclusive man-cave. As long as long legs under a short skirt are seen as way more newsworthy/interesting than how well a woman actually plays, gender equality in golf is a very long way off.

 

[srixon 1]

Perhaps they cannot afford the red paint for the tee markers.

On a serious note, I bet most of them are members at other clubs anyway. Being a member at Muirfield is just a status thing.

Do they employ women staff I wonder?

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Do they employ women staff I wonder?

Yes they do Steve both in the restaurant/bar and in the office. They don't get paid though, they get free membership but have to keep it quiet

 

[Val]

Perhaps they cannot afford the red paint for the tee markers.

On a serious note, I bet most of them are members at other clubs anyway. Being a member at Muirfield is just a status thing.

Do they employ women staff I wonder?

They have red tee's just now. Have had for years

 

[WillC]

I am quite surprised they didn't get enough votes, is anyone else?

I don't agree in principle, but echo the their club their rules mantra.

 

[Three]

Well the committee recommended that they allow women, it required a 2/3 majority and they got 64% in favour.

So technically they did vote in favour, just not enough to reach the weird 2/3 requirement.

 

[DCB]

A couple of bad winters will see off the old geezers and they'll take another vote

 

[Dave3498]

Well the committee recommended that they allow women, it required a 2/3 majority and they got 64% in favour.

So technically they did vote in favour, just not enough to reach the weird 2/3 requirement.

It was that close, but it's like all democratic votes, if the result turns out wrong, then they have another vote later until they get the right answer. That's what will happen at Muirfield in a couple of years.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

A couple of bad winters will see off the old geezers and they'll take another vote

I think it was a once in a generation vote

 

[Garush34]

Its a shame it has come to this, I like Muirfield as a course and really enjoyed the Open there in 2013 and was looking forward going back in the future, hopefully it will happen if their policy changes. But it is the right decision from the R&A for me, they have to grow the game and every time they go to Muirfield and Troon this issue is always brought up which detracts from the Open its self.

 

[patricks148]

Somehow I don't think the members will be at all bothered about losing the Open. It must be a major inconvenience for a couple of months every time it comes around and the course has already built up a worldwide reputation so they aren't really losing out.

yes, agree i know a few members and they won't be heart broken to lose it.

 

[Tarkus1212]

I'd echo the "their club, their rules" sentiment and also applaud the R&A for taking Muirfield off the Open rota.

Does anyone know how much hosting The Open would be worth to a golf club? My club is one of the qualifying courses for the Women's British Open this year and I know we get nothing for hosting it, other than losing the use of one of our courses for two days.

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

Interestingly, you could actually argue that womens golf is more sexist than mens. I've just looked at the entry form for the Open Championship and it clearly states that women can enter. Somehow I don't think that is the case with the womens British Open.

Do you think men should be allowed to enter that?

I have just checked the ladies open entry form, its open to you if you are 'of the female gender', so there you have it, its just like a marriage women are always right and can have it both ways. :whoo:

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

I have just checked the ladies open entry form, its open to you if you are 'of the female gender', so there you have it, its just like a marriage women are always right and can have it both ways. :whoo:

I'm in touch with my feminine side, does that count?

 

[Tarkus1212]

I have just checked the ladies open entry form, its open to you if you are 'of the female gender', so there you have it, its just like a marriage women are always right and can have it both ways. :whoo:

Isn't it the same at your golf club? There are plenty of competitions at my club which are open to all members regardless of age or gender but plenty more that are open to women only, far more than there are men only comps.

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

I'm in touch with my feminine side, does that count?

Looking at your avatar your more of a looker than some women golfers

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

Isn't it the same at your golf club? There are plenty of competitions at my club which are open to all members regardless of age or gender but plenty more that are open to women only, far more than there are men only comps.

that's my point it seems to be equality for women but with more favourable terms for them.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Looking at your avatar your more of a looker than some women golfers

You smooth talking charmer. What are you doing on Friday night?

 

[Hickory_Hacker]

I'm delighted to hear that the result of their vote was not to have a Ladies Section, as per what was predicted, good for them.

As others have said, hosting the Open is pretty much an inconvenience and they don't need it or those that I know there can't be bothered with it ... A brilliant result and now said female (not sure how many wanted to join) will just have to go further down Scotland's Golf Coast or back up it and look for another club, there's enough to choose from :thup:

As for RandA trying to make out that they're living in a modern world, what a load of nonsense, all they're doing is watching their own backs.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

A real spanner in the works here but how long before a transgender woman applies to play in a womens open? Has that been addressed yet? There are clear power differences between men and women so this causes real issues, not just in golf but all sports.