Doon frae Troon
Ryder Cup Winner
Mmmmm probably best let that one lie.
They do have most of Scotland's finest lawyers as members you know!!
They do have most of Scotland's finest lawyers as members you know!!
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In my opinion there is a duty among the governing bodies to move the game forward. Holding the Open at a club which would not welcome half the population as members in my mind does not send out the right image.
Absolutely smack on!! :thup: Let their me male and female clubs if that's what people and the members want... I have no real problem with that (although not for me) If you want to hold the only major in this country and have the whole world watching and visit, in order to portray the sport positively and help move it forward from its pompous, out dated image, you have to toe the correct political line or face vast criticism and potentially loose it all together. Unfortunately or fortunately depending on your point of view, its the way of world.
Mike I know quite a few Muirfield members and I can assure you that they are anything but pompous twits. Like your own club there are always a few who are 'not quite there' but your generalisation of several hundred men is quite astonishing.
I think you have a class problem.
I'll make a couple of comments on your post. When you say 'toe the correct political line' your post may have had more credibility if you had said 'do the more socially responsible thing.
Could you please point me in the direction of this vast criticism please? Or is it just a few journalists with a lack of ideas and a couple of posters on here?
I agree with you, that was not the best description and I should have put something like "do the more socially responsible thing."
There's an article written by the GM Editor recently where he describes the backlash form the Sergio saga, covers the whole problem with the ET CEO at Wentworth and touches on the fact that there are invites from Government ministers etc being declined based on the membership policy at Muirfield. He also quite clearly offers his thoughts on the matter and what we should be doing to improve the games image. I think of him as someone who offers a fair and experienced overview of our game and more than a tabloid hack out to get some cheap coverage. I have also been involved in various conversations with other golfers locally who have heard and seen similar comments being made from strong sources. I'm fairly positive its not something that is being taken with a pinch of salt.
I think you'll find it is. After about 6:30 pm on Sunday 21st July you will hear nothing else about it, until the next Open that is held at a course that is the home of an exclusively male club.
It does nothing to harm the game at all; If the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers and many other clubs changed their policy tomorrow there would not be rejoicing in the streets to the sound of ringing church bells. Club secretaries would not be working 20 hour days in order to process the membership applications from under represented minorities.
It really is a non story, the only people who make anything of it are under employed hacks and those who are desperately queuing for the next offended bus.
I think you'll find it is. After about 6:30 pm on Sunday 21st July you will hear nothing else about it, until the next Open that is held at a course that is the home of an exclusively male club.
It does nothing to harm the game at all; If the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers and many other clubs changed their policy tomorrow there would not be rejoicing in the streets to the sound of ringing church bells. Club secretaries would not be working 20 hour days in order to process the membership applications from under represented minorities.
It really is a non story, the only people who make anything of it are under employed hacks and those who are desperately queuing for the next offended bus.
I love the Open and the game but Muirfield, knowingly hosting the biggest Major in the world which is worth millions to them but has some old out of date male only members policy, is some what deluded and rather narrow minded imo. Why open yourself up for more pointless scrutiny? Their next AGM ... "should we allow ladies to join or loose the Open in a few years time???" Maybe then a decent course might get a chance!!Sorry ....
I dont think anyone at Muirfield would even bat an eyelid if they lost the open. In fact......
I dont think anyone at Muirfield would even bat an eyelid if they lost the open. In fact......
Historically the members have never been too keen to host it.