D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
It's not discrimination unless they don't allow you join because of what you have posted above.
Muirfield, women, the R&A and The Open
- Thread starter Jimaroid
- Start date
It's not discrimination unless they don't allow you join because of what you have posted above.
D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
Yep I know a plasterer who is a member at Wentworth
D
Deleted Member 1156
Guest
So denying me access to the course isn't a form of discrimination?
D
Deleted Member 1156
Guest
Wentworth is a proprietary course run to make a profit, not a private members course.
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Deleted member 15344
Guest
Nope not for me
"the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex."
Doesn't fall into that definition for me
D
Deleted Member 1156
Guest
That definition gives examples not a definitive list. I'm sure if you dug deep enough you could add wealth (or lack of) to the list.
D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
Being unable to afford something isn't discrimination - I can't afford a Porsche but they aren't discriminating against me because of their prices.
You can't be discriminated against before you can't afford to play somewhere! 'Judge - Waitrose are discriminating against me because their bananas are more expensive than Tesco next door - I need compensation'.
How people choose to spend money is exactly that - a choice. Your life decisions, career, family, location etc steer many of those choices. You dont choose your sex, skin colour, age etc.
Claiming discrimination in this case is frankly insulting to those who have actually battled discrimination.
Muirfield, Womens only Gyms etc - absolutely fine if that's club policy, I don't have a problem with that choice. Just accept that choice may lead to certain consequences - such as not holding an Open Championship. Muirfield are fully within their rights, and the R&A have made a sensible decision following their choice.
Hacker Khan
Yurt Dwelling, Yoghurt Knitter
Great point. Some idiots on here need to engage brain before posting at times.
mikejohnchapman
Challenge Tour Pro
As someone who loves golf and the ethos it encourages in young people I watched the news with great sadness. Yes it's their club and they are welcome to it.
The sight of a group of old men pontificating about why they wanted to exclude women sets a terrible example to parents and young people when we need to be encouraging them to play the sport we love. I accept the TV coverage may have been selective but were we proud to see our sport portrayed that way on prime time TV?
Peter Alliss' comments in the press this morning didn't help - he's considered part of the "establishment" which just reinforces the perception problem?
Sports funding for golf has already been cut - is this really going to help improve participation going forward? This will get WW coverage - they should be ashamed.
The sight of a group of old men pontificating about why they wanted to exclude women sets a terrible example to parents and young people when we need to be encouraging them to play the sport we love. I accept the TV coverage may have been selective but were we proud to see our sport portrayed that way on prime time TV?
Peter Alliss' comments in the press this morning didn't help - he's considered part of the "establishment" which just reinforces the perception problem?
Sports funding for golf has already been cut - is this really going to help improve participation going forward? This will get WW coverage - they should be ashamed.
D
Deleted Member 1156
Guest
Interesting response, please share with us your experiences of being discriminated against.
D
Deleted Member 1156
Guest
You can get down off your high horse, we are talking about a sports facility here not some unfortunate person that has had their life or family ripped apart.
Foxholer
Blackballed
But if you join, then they'll allow you to play their course! So no discrimination!
Whether you can/choose to join is your choice!
Wealth is not a 'protected characteristic' covered by the Equality Act btw!
D
Deleted Member 1156
Guest
No....it is very much the existing members choice not mine.
I have no inclination to give my life or family history to a bigot on an open forum thank you.
daverollo
Assistant Pro
I very much doubt this would have had any media attention if the HCOEG hadn't build such a fantastic course that has hosted many Opens and was so high profile.
The majority of members voted in favour of allowing women to join, must be their constitution that meant 2/3rds were required to get it passed though.
Anyone claiming the R&A are just pandering to the PC brigade by denying them the chance to host any future Opens are missing the point. The R&A will have come under pressure from the sponsors. Mercedes, HSBC, Mastercard, Rolex, Nikon, to name a few are world wide brands, that enjoy and pay for the mass exposure the Open provides. They without doubt won't want any negative press associated with them being seen to be linked with a sexist event. So the media and the faux outrage are to blame to some extent. The R&A need that sponsorship to carry on distributing the money to promote the game world wide.
Personally I couldn't give two hoots. If a private club (of any type) wish to restrict their membership then so be it. Lets face it 99.9% of men are likely to be restricted from joining if you don't know enough existing members and get your left tit out when shaking hands. If it means that course will no longer host an Open then fine, there are plenty of quality courses that can cover the gap. Royal Liverpool was added in 2006 which was a great addition and I am looking forward to seeing Royal Portrush play host in 2019. I played Muirfield many years ago, it was a wonderful experience, with 18 holes in the morning, lunch, cigars in the smoking room then back out for another 9. But as courses go, doesn't make my top 5.
The majority of members voted in favour of allowing women to join, must be their constitution that meant 2/3rds were required to get it passed though.
Anyone claiming the R&A are just pandering to the PC brigade by denying them the chance to host any future Opens are missing the point. The R&A will have come under pressure from the sponsors. Mercedes, HSBC, Mastercard, Rolex, Nikon, to name a few are world wide brands, that enjoy and pay for the mass exposure the Open provides. They without doubt won't want any negative press associated with them being seen to be linked with a sexist event. So the media and the faux outrage are to blame to some extent. The R&A need that sponsorship to carry on distributing the money to promote the game world wide.
Personally I couldn't give two hoots. If a private club (of any type) wish to restrict their membership then so be it. Lets face it 99.9% of men are likely to be restricted from joining if you don't know enough existing members and get your left tit out when shaking hands. If it means that course will no longer host an Open then fine, there are plenty of quality courses that can cover the gap. Royal Liverpool was added in 2006 which was a great addition and I am looking forward to seeing Royal Portrush play host in 2019. I played Muirfield many years ago, it was a wonderful experience, with 18 holes in the morning, lunch, cigars in the smoking room then back out for another 9. But as courses go, doesn't make my top 5.
Smiffy
Grand Slam Winner
He's got it spot on in my book.
I'll never forget at Crowborough Beacon one day, three "ladies" were taking tee on the veranda whilst a Mens competition was on.
They heard four guys swearing like crazy on the 18th green and put in an official complaint.
Really upset a few people, and they introduced a new rule whereby ladies were banned from taking tea whilst mens competitions were taking place.
lobthewedge
Challenge Tour Pro
The course is over rated and the clubhouse looks and smells like a nursing home. The Disheveled Collection of Incontinent Coffin Dodgers are very welcome to it!
Well done R&A.
Well done R&A.
Dave3498
Q-School Graduate
You can't be a bigot on an open forum. Bigots, by definition are not wiling to listen to other points of view, so they wouldn't go near an open forum.
D
Deleted member 18588
Guest
I think the result of the vote is very disappointing and anachronistic but please spare us this type of drivel.
The course is most certainly not over rated and is regarded by most golf journalists and many players as probably the finest on the Open roster.
As for the clubhouse, who cares? when watching the Open , either on TV or "live" that is the last of my considerations.
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