Muirfield golf club allows female members in historic vote | CNN

Muirfield golf club makes historic vote to allow women members

Aimee Lewis, CNN
2 minute read
Updated 12:06 PM EDT, Wed March 15, 2017
A landmark vote in Scotland on Thursday will decide whether women will be allowed to enter the famous clubhouse of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club as members.
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A landmark vote in Scotland on Thursday will decide whether women will be allowed to enter the famous clubhouse of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club as members.
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Golf's gender debate

Story highlights

First time in history female members allowed

Club voted against allowing women members in 2016

Held fresh ballot after losing right to stage British Open

CNN  — 

It had been widely criticized for its male-only membership policy, and lost the British Open golf tournament as a result, but now Muirfield has voted to admit women for the first time in its long history.

In a fresh ballot, 80.2% of members at the privately owned Scottish golf club, founded in 1744, opted to accept female members, overturning a previous vote held less than 12 months ago.

The R&A, the organizer of the Open Championship, moved quickly to reinstate Muirfield on the Open rota after it was removed in 2016.

The result of last May’s vote caused a storm, with Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon calling the decision “indefensible.”

Responding to Tuesday’s announcement, Sturgeon tweeted: “Well done, Muirfield – decision to admit women members emphatic and the right one. Look forward to seeing you host the Open again in future.”

READ: Muirfield banned from hosting British Open

READ: Muirfield seeks new female membership vote

Women face a two-year wait

With a two-thirds majority needed to overturn the club’s male-only stance, club captain Henry Fairweather said 498 votes had been returned in favor of admitting women, with 123 votes against.

The turnout was reported to be 92.7%.

“We look forward to welcoming women as members who will enjoy, and benefit, from the great traditions and friendly spirit of this remarkable club,” said Fairweather.

The Claret Jug trophy beside the 18th green in front of Muirfield's clubhouse
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Stacy Lewis: Muirfield decision 'great thing'
03:19 - Source: CNN

Muirfield, home to the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, hosted the last of its 16 Open Championships in 2013, when America’s Phil Mickelson lifted the famous Claret Jug.

Martin Slumbers, chief executive of the R&A, said: “It is extremely important for us in staging one of the world’s great sporting events that women can become members of all our host clubs.

“Muirfield is a truly outstanding Open venue and we very much look forward to taking the Championship back there in future.”

Previously, women had been able to play on the links course and visit the clubhouse as guests and visitors.

The club admits it is likely to take at least two years before the first woman joins the club.

“The current waiting list for membership at Muirfield suggests that new candidates for membership, women and men, can expect to wait two to three years, or longer, to become a member of the club,” said a statement.