Should Muirfield host the Open?

[mikee247]

Controversial this one but I didn't realise until recently and was completely shocked to learn that it's a male only club. There's high profile invites being declined by numerous politicians and celebs for the Open due this fact and its long been debated whether this is portraying the game in a positive light. Lets be honest with all the race rows going on and bad publicity do we really need another bit of poor PR? Personally I think its shocking in this day and age and the thought of stuffy old men in cravats wandering around smoking cigars mumbling "women playing on my course wont happen in my life time" is plainly out of date and out of touch and down right chauvinistic garbage.

I love the fact that we should preserve tradition and history and in deed protect all that is sacred around the game itself and the way it is played. I also love the older member style clubs and what they represent but this kind of antiquated ruling in a club that's now firmly in the worlds's spot light, is bang out of line and is doing the game no good what's so ever. Or does anyone really care that much?

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

The Open Championship is a mens event, why shouldn't it be played at a male only club? The ladies have their open, that could be played at Sunningdale or Formby Ladies golf club.

I don't see why it should be an issue?

 

[Birchy]

Women can play the course. Just cant be members.

Just typical of this day and age. Does it really matter that much?

PC brigade all over this like everything nowdays. BORING!

 

[jp5]

If it keeps all the stuffy old men in one place and away from other clubs, I don't see the problem with it.

 

[Keeno]

Yes it should be played,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I've already bought my tickets.

I personally don't overly agree with male only clubs etc but there are many many female only clubs, gyms, swimming nights etc and I personally don't see much jumping up and down over them. Equality is not a one way street.

 

[Slab]

Read a few articles in last couple of months but none referred to anyone turning down an invite to the Open because of the club being single sex.

Anyone know which folks declined their invite on these grounds?

 

[cookelad]

These types of single gender memberships are a dying breed thankfully and they do happen in both directions, and according to Peter Dawson there are approximately the same number of all female clubs as there are all male (I don't know I'm quoting someone else!), the only problem is the R&A choose host their showcase tournament on the "best" courses in Great Britain, 2 or 3 of which with male only memberships, so drawing more attention to one group of gender biased clubs.


Only the clubs themselves have the choice to change it and the sooner they do the better for me.

 

[mikee247]

Yes it should be played,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I've already bought my tickets.

I personally don't overly agree with male only clubs etc but there are many many female only clubs, gyms, swimming nights etc and I personally don't see much jumping up and down over them. Equality is not a one way street.

Good point and I agree there is lots of ladies only clubs but they dont host the largest and oldest golfing event in the world with millions of viewers watching on TV and hosting thousands of visitors!

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Mikee this has been done to death.
Under your argument the Open should not be played at St Andrews because there are ladies only clubs based there.
Get your facts right, women can play at Muirfield. My daughter has played it a couple of times as a members guest.

 

[mikee247]

Women can play the course. Just cant be members.

Just typical of this day and age. Does it really matter that much?

PC brigade all over this like everything nowdays. BORING!

I agree its all overly PC but we have to accept times are changing in all areas of the sport but surely these sort of stuffy institutions should be dead and buried in this modern age? Especially when you are hosting the Major.....

And with that I bet the ladies are welcomed with open arms into the club house once they have finished!!

 

[mikee247]

Mikee this has been done to death.
Under your argument the Open should not be played at St Andrews because there are ladies only clubs based there.
Get your facts right, women can play at Muirfield. My daughter has played it a couple of times as a members guest.

Excuse me?? Has it?? I look forward to reading your next uplifting thread then a topic new to all. Slow play again perhaps?

I'm not suggesting anything of the sort. I am in fact only asking the question and peoples opinion whether it should be or not? I dont agree with the male only members in clubs but this is Muirfield and one of the finest of its kind etc etc....Is St Andrews a male only members club nowadays then? If it is... then perhaps the same question should be applied? Home of golf and all that?? I know women can play at Muirfield but they cant become a member.... that's the fact therefore we discuss the argument and debate whether it should be the case.

 

[DCB]

So, as a show of solidarity and as a gesture of defiance against such a wrong, the Op will not watch any of the BBC coverage of The Open, will not read about it in any publication or online and will not accord the eventual winner with the respect he deserves.

After all, he was "completely shocked to learn that it's a male only club" and therefore can not be seen to assist this behemoth in it's survival.


PS Doesn't matter a jot to me where it's played as long as it's played over our best links courses

 

[Doon frae Troon]

It is a big misconception that the R&A is a stuffy club.
They have moved with the times and have the best interests of world golf in their souls.
The main reason why The Open is the worlds largest golf tournament

 

[upsidedown]

Good point and I agree there is lots of ladies only clubs but they dont host the largest and oldest golfing event in the world with millions of viewers watching on TV and hosting thousands of visitors!

And I'd hazard a guess that it puts them off not one jot.

 

[Birchy]

I agree its all overly PC but we have to accept times are changing in all areas of the sport but surely these sort of stuffy institutions should be dead and buried in this modern age? Especially when you are hosting the Major.....

And with that I bet the ladies are welcomed with open arms into the club house once they have finished!!

I hate to pee on your bonfire but ladies are allowed in the clubhouse too :rofl:

 

[Qwerty]

Im sure that if there was currently and historically a higher proportion of female Golfers in the country there would currently be a lot more Ladies golf clubs. That would not bother me in the slightest as Muirfield being male members only doesn't.

If anything you could argue that it is actually in general more inclusive by offering different types of club rather than all clubs being mixed.

 

[FairwayDodger]

Yes, this has been done to death and, IMO, it's a hugely complicated issue. When I try to explain my perspective on it I don't tend to get much support from the (largely male) forum.

Firstly re Muirfield, I played it earlier in the year on a forum meet. I was made very welcome by everyone there - both to play the course and for lunch in the clubhouse afterwards. Some members of staff even went out of their way to chat to me and see how I'd got on and enjoyed the day. I found them nothing but friendly and welcoming.

However, and while it doesn't exactly keep me awake at night, I do agree that it sends out the wrong signal about golf to the broader population. Yes, single gender clubs exist and while pretty sad I think it fair that they have the right to do so. Personally however, I wouldn't take the Open to these clubs if it were my choice but I'm not about to boycott it.

I hate the argument about "ladies only clubs". Would ladies only golf clubs exist if the male clubs back in the day had been welcoming to us? I don't know but I doubt it.

Don't get me started on ladies only gyms because then you'll all fall out with me. It's not for me but I fully understand why some women can't handle mixed-sex gyms. Not a valid comparison at all in relation to golf clubs!

 

[stevie_r]

The Open Championship is a mens event, why shouldn't it be played at a male only club? The ladies have their open, that could be played at Sunningdale or Formby Ladies golf club.

I don't see why it should be an issue?

It is not a male only event. The top five finishers from the previous 4 Womens' Majors are allowed to enter at the qualifying stage.

 

[Hobbit]

Just why can't there be men only clubs? Seriously, why not?

I don't care that there are women only clubs, and would support them in their choice if that's what they wanted.

If its an argument about job discrimination, or them being treated like second class citizens in another country, I'm with you. But in all honesty the argument about men only clubs and women only clubs... I just don't see the problem.

 

[mikee247]

So, as a show of solidarity and as a gesture of defiance against such a wrong, the Op will not watch any of the BBC coverage of The Open, will not read about it in any publication or online and will not accord the eventual winner with the respect he deserves.

After all, he was "completely shocked to learn that it's a male only club" and therefore can not be seen to assist this behemoth in it's survival.



PS Doesn't matter a jot to me where it's played as long as it's played over our best links courses

Shocked yes and no I don't agree with its policy on female members in this modern age. Watch it? Of course I will wouldn't miss it for the world I love the Open and don't wish to stop it or boycott the event. I wouldn't join Muirfield (unlikely to be offered anyhow) nor do I support their policies. I am asking the question whether other people agree it should be played there and if is it sending out the right message or whether other more modern up to date locations should be selected?