Muirfield joins the 21st century

[Lancs Harp]

Any thoughts on todays "historic" decision?

[snooky]

Any thoughts on todays "historic" decision?

It's hard enough to get in as a male. Good luck to the ladies with their applications. :rolleyes:

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Small price to pay to get their place back on the list to host The Open.

[Colr]

Any thoughts on todays "historic" decision?

A great victory for establishment, elite women of Scotland - why any of the rest of us should care is beyond me!!

It about a relevant to my life as whether Scarlett Johanson is paid enough.

[Pretty Boy]

A great victory for establishment, elite women of Scotland - why any of the rest of us should care is beyond me!!

It about a relevant to my life as whether Scarlett Johanson is paid enough.

Pretty much what I said elsewhere.

A great victory for equality because a few selectively chosen rich women can now be members of the same club as a few selectively chosen rich men. It's like when Condoleezza Rice was admitted to Augusta; a full blow revolution.....

[snooky]

A great victory for establishment, elite women of Scotland - why any of the rest of us should care is beyond me!!

It about a relevant to my life as whether Scarlett Johanson is paid enough.

That was my point to.
There'll be a ban on hairnets, curlers, headsquares and pinnies no doubt. :angelic:

[ACLeith]

I knew an ex captain of the club who although he talked "posh" was one of the nicest people I have ever met. He was disgusted with the original decision but sadly died at the end of last year - he would have been delighted at this decision.

I played there in 2015 and had access to the clubhouse. There were women at our event who were genuinely treated the same as the men. But I know that's not been the issue.

So women can join the waiting list to await the death of enough members in many years time. Or maybe someone like Catriona Matthew will be invited to skip the queue?

I only wish that the place vacated by my friend''s death had been taken by the first women - that would have really pleased hiim.

Now will the Burgess consider another vote? And does anyone care?

[ColinNish]

If they wanted to keep it as a men only club I didn't see what the big deal was. They only changed their tune when the Open got taken away from them.
Money talks!!

[Allant1981]

If they wanted to keep it as a men only club I didn't see what the big deal was. They only changed their tune when the Open got taken away from them.
Money talks!!

its a big deal because its so out of date, why should females not be allowed a membership

[makaveli1875]

There are golf clubs that are women only in the UK , dont see anyone kicking up a fuss about that

[beensaidbefore]

There are golf clubs that are women only in the UK , dont see anyone kicking up a fuss about that

Lets wait and see if the equality campaigners will now shift their focus to the Girl Guides and their girls only policy. Although don't hold your breath.

[CropleyWasGod]

There are golf clubs that are women only in the UK , dont see anyone kicking up a fuss about that

They don't aspire to make money out of the general population, in the way that Muirfield and the like do.

[snooky]

I knew an ex captain of the club who although he talked "posh" was one of the nicest people I have ever met. He was disgusted with the original decision but sadly died at the end of last year - he would have been delighted at this decision.

I played there in 2015 and had access to the clubhouse. There were women at our event who were genuinely treated the same as the men. But I know that's not been the issue.

So women can join the waiting list to await the death of enough members in many years time. Or maybe someone like Catriona Matthew will be invited to skip the queue?

I only wish that the place vacated by my friend''s death had been taken by the first women - that would have really pleased hiim.

Now will the Burgess consider another vote? And does anyone care?

I went down to Muirfield once (1990?) to ask for a scorecard to send to a friend in North America. A committe member (a moustachioed gentleman with a hoity-toity accent) couldn't have been nicer. He took me into the clubhouse and gave me a couple of score cards. Top bloke.

[ColinNish]

its a big deal because its so out of date, why should females not be allowed a membership

Why is it out of date? If they don't want female members then why should they have that thrusted upon them? As someone else mentioned there are women only golf clubs and you dinnae see a big hoo hah about these. As i said, The Open = money talks.

[ColinNish]

And dinnae get me started about girls in the Scouts,what is that all about?

[patch1875]

I know a few members none reckon any woman will join anyway.

[CapitalGreen]

There are golf clubs that are women only in the UK , dont see anyone kicking up a fuss about that

You have literally just kicked up a fuss about it and there is a number of other posts on this board also questioning it. I think you are confusing "nobody kicking up and fuss about it" and their being no collective group pushing the issue.

[Scouse Hibee]

Maybe Hibs could make the West stand women free. Far too many already in the East to make it practical there.

[snooky]

Maybe Hibs could make the West stand women free. Far too many already in the East to make it practical there.

I'll have two please. :yum yum:

[Allant1981]

Why is it out of date? If they don't want female members then why should they have that thrusted upon them? As someone else mentioned there are women only golf clubs and you dinnae see a big hoo hah about these. As i said, The Open = money talks.

i dont know if there is a big hoo ha about female only golf clubs as im not a golfer, everyone should be equal and everyone should be able to have the opportunity to be a member of any golf course

[ColinNish]

i dont know if there is a big hoo ha about female only golf clubs as im not a golfer, everyone should be equal and everyone should be able to have the opportunity to be a member of any golf course

There is no big hoo ha, i can assure you.

[Andy74]

i dont know if there is a big hoo ha about female only golf clubs as im not a golfer, everyone should be equal and everyone should be able to have the opportunity to be a member of any golf course

I don't get why people should have the right to join any type of clubs they please. Clubs of any sort are started by people who have an interest in something and it's up to them what rules they set. We aren't talking about denying people jobs or basic freedoms, these are private clubs.

If you don't like the rules start your own club.

[northstandhibby]

I don't get why people should have the right to join any type of clubs they please. Clubs of any sort are started by people who have an interest in something and it's up to them what rules they set. We aren't talking about denying people jobs or basic freedoms, these are private clubs.

If you don't like the rules start your own club.

In a civilised society clubs should not be excluding folk on grounds of gender unless they can show there is good reason for doing so. A golf club open to the public doesn't appear to have any reasonable grounds for barring folk because of their gender.

glory glory

[ColinNish]

In a civilised society clubs should not be excluding folk on grounds of gender unless they can show there is good reason for doing so. A golf club open to the public doesn't appear to have any reasonable grounds for barring folk because of their gender.

glory glory
Female only gyms?

[Dalianwanda]

I stewarded a couple of Opens there & loved the experience. Played a round the a couple of weeks after the Open & really didn't enjoy it. Felt like a real second class citizen, on the course felt like your every move was being watched. Wouldn't go back & wouldn't recommend it, not as if theres not a lot of other great courses with welcoming atmospheres in the area.

[Andy74]

In a civilised society clubs should not be excluding folk on grounds of gender unless they can show there is good reason for doing so. A golf club open to the public doesn't appear to have any reasonable grounds for barring folk because of their gender.

glory glory

Clubs should be able to exclude anyone they want from their membership for whatever reason they see fit - it's a club. We don't have to agree with what they do but its their club to do with what they want. If people don't like those rules they can join a club they do like or start their own. By clubs I mean any club or society not exclusively golf ones.

That's nothing to do with being civilised or not. Civilised people still have the right to set something up to spend time with other people on like minded issues if they see fit.

Opening something up to the public and making exclusions is a little bit different I think.

[snooky]

Clubs should be able to exclude anyone they want from their membership for whatever reason they see fit - it's a club. We don't have to agree with what they do but its their club to do with what they want. If people don't like those rules they can join a club they do like or start their own. By clubs I mean any club or society not exclusively golf ones.

That's nothing to do with being civilised or not. Civilised people still have the right to set something up to spend time with other people on like minded issues if they see fit.

Opening something up to the public and making exclusions is a little bit different I think.

Where does the 'open house to all' stop? If you're having a function can anybody knock on the door and claim they are being discriminated against because you won't let them in? I agree with Andy up to a point. A Club is a Club and it should have the right to exclude anybody it wants. The bottom line of course is what fool would want to be a member of a club who doesn't want them in the first place?

Kinda on the same subject:
I sent the club a wire stating, "PLEASE ACCEPT MY RESIGNATION. I DON'T WANT TO BELONG TO ANY CLUB THAT WILL ACCEPT PEOPLE LIKE ME AS A MEMBER". - Groucho Marx

[marinello59]

Clubs should be able to exclude anyone they want from their membership for whatever reason they see fit - it's a club. We don't have to agree with what they do but its their club to do with what they want. If people don't like those rules they can join a club they do like or start their own. By clubs I mean any club or society not exclusively golf ones.

That's nothing to do with being civilised or not. Civilised people still have the right to set something up to spend time with other people on like minded issues if they see fit.

Opening something up to the public and making exclusions is a little bit different I think.

No Irish, no Blacks, no dogs.
That be OK with you then?

[calumhibee1]

Not sure what I think of this. On one hand I agree with Andy, if I start a private club, I should be able to let whoever I want in and whoever I don't want I should be able to turn away. If I invite a few mates round to my house for a drink do I have to let anyone else who wants to come in? No, because it's my house and I choose who comes in and who doesn't. I don't see why a private club is any different. It's the members to do with as they please and if they don't want women to join then that should be that. On the other hand I think the idea of not allowing women to join purely based on the fact they are women is ridiculous. But as I said previously, if that's how they want to run their club then so be it. However, I do agree with the point that there is plenty "women only" swimming classes, gyms, yoga, whatever else etc. They are never criticised in the same way that Muirfield has been. Why is that?

[Scouse Hibee]

I remember in my old crown green days (early 80's) when the opposition turned up for a league game with one women in their team. The shock horror on the look of the old yins in our team was matched by their desperate scramble to find the rule book.

Several of them said if drawn against her they would refuse to play. The simple fact was everyone of them was scared of being beaten by a woman and were desperate to avoid the possibility. As it happened they had 13 players so she never played but did practice beforehand on the green hence the panic from our lot. What a pathetic bunch they were and I never tired of reminding them about it for years after.

[Jim44]

It seems to me that this whole issue has got little to do with the actual principle of having open membership for males and females alike. It is simply based on the club hosting the Open Championship. Traditionally, Muirfield has been part of the Open circuit for many years and most certainly gains a lot in terms of revenue and spin off from the event. The local community also gains important income from the Open. I don't know the reasons why they voted to keep women out on the first vote when they knew that the Club would lose it's place on the circuit, but you can bet your last dime that the decision to have a second vote was not based on the male/female issue but on economical and prestige grounds. If Muirfield had just been a run of the mill club with a 'no female' policy, it would still have the same status today.

[snooky]

It seems to me that this whole issue has got little to do with the actual principle of having open membership for males and females alike. It is simply based on the club hosting the Open Championship. Traditionally, Muirfield has been part of the Open circuit for many years and most certainly gains a lot in terms of revenue and spin off from the event. The local community also gains important income from the Open. I don't know the reasons why they voted to keep women out on the first vote when they knew that the Club would lose it's place on the circuit, but you can bet your last dime that the decision to have a second vote was not based on the male/female issue but on economical and prestige grounds. If Muirfield had just been a run of the mill club with a 'no female' policy, it would still have the same status today.

They are not the the first club and won't be the last to succumb to financial pressure.