Muirfield loses chance to host Open as it keeps ban on women

A vote at Muirfield failed to obtain the two-thirds majority needed to admit women members
A vote at Muirfield failed to obtain the two-thirds majority needed to admit women members
JAMES GLOSSOP/THE TIMES

The world’s oldest golf club was stripped of its right to host the Open yesterday after it voted to keep its ban on women members.

The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, based at Muirfield in East Lothian, announced the result of a ballot of members under gathering storm clouds by the 18th green.

Henry Fairweather, the club captain, revealed that 397 voted to admit women with 219 against, meaning that the pro-women lobby fell 14 votes short of the two-thirds majority needed to change the club’s constitution.

The R&A, golf’s governing body, immediately removed Muirfield from its Open roster.

Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, tweeted that it was a “simply indefensible” decision. David Cameron told LBC Radio: “Sports clubs should be totally open to both