(September 18, 2014)–Following 260 years of male-only membership at one of the oldest clubs in the world, the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews has voted overwhelmingly in favor of welcoming women members. This vote is significant as the historic development will pave the way for women to play a role in the sport’s governance.
The R&A’s 2,400 worldwide members voted in person and via proxy and postal votes, with 85 percent in favor of allowing women members. Peter Dawson, R&A chief executive, had previously called for a mixed membership and welcomed the result of the ballot. “We have voted overwhelmingly in favor of welcoming women members,” he said. “More than three quarters of the club’s global membership took part in the ballot, with a decisive 85 per cent voting for women to become members. This vote has immediate effect and I can confirm that the Royal and Ancient golf club of St Andrew’s is now a mixed membership club.”
PGA of America President Ted Bishop (pictured left) released a statement on the R & A Vote saying, “Women have played and will continue to play an integral role in the game of golf. In fact, women represent the biggest growth market in the sport, and every step to make golf more inclusive is good for the game. The PGA of America is thrilled that the R&A is welcoming women into its organization, and loudly applauds its decision.”
“The membership also acted to fast-track a significant initial number of women to become members in the coming months. This a is a very important and positive day in the history of the Royal and Ancient golf club. The R&A has served the sport of golf well for 260 years and I’m confident that the club will continue to do so in future, with the support of all of its members, both women and men.”
Helen Grant, Minister for Sport, hopes the R&A’s new stance will signal further change at the three remaining male-only clubs on the Open roster, Royal St George’s, Royal Troon and Muirfield. She said: “I am pleased that the members of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews have voted in favour of admitting women members. This is positive news for the sport and I hope we will now see other golf clubs that still have outdated same sex policies follow suit. With golf in the next Olympics there is a huge opportunity for the sport to grow and this sends out the right inclusive message that golf is for everyone.”
Ken Schofield (pictured left) former executive director of the European Tour, suggested the issue had cast a ‘cloud’ over previous Open tournaments. “Well clearly it’s very, very important,” said the R&A member after casting his vote. “A tremendous return and as you would have heard from Peter, a landslide in favour of admitting the ladies and a similar landslide to involve the fast-tracking of up to 15 of them, which I think will be welcome worldwide.
I think there is a time for everything. Certainly at Muirfield last year, in the build-up to actually getting the first tee operational on Thursday, we played under the cloud of politicians both at Edinburgh and London actually refusing to attend the Open golf championship on this issue.That is not conducive to having the type of week that we should have.”
