Another two golf clubs allow women to join them

Alistair Dunsmuir
By Alistair Dunsmuir December 10, 2015 12:15

Two more historic golf clubs have decided to end their men-only membership policies and allow women to become members for the first time.

The 123-year-old Pollok Golf Club in Scotland has changed its policy with 89 percent of members voting in favour of the move.

The club carried out an official poll following a survey of members earlier this year.

Club captain Gordon Wishart said: “I am pleased to announce that the membership of Pollok Golf Club has now voted overwhelmingly in favour of welcoming women members. This vote has immediate effect and as of now Pollok is a mixed-membership club.

“This is a memorable day in the history of the club which will celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2017 and I look forward to welcoming our first lady and girl members in the very near future.”

He said women members would be welcomed “on exactly the same basis” as men.

Meanwhile, the 147-year-old Lundin Golf Club, also in Scotland, has similarly brought down its male-only barriers following a vote.

More than two-thirds of the club’s members supported the motion to allow women to join the club for the first time in its history.

“I am pleased to announce that the membership of Lundin Golf Club has now voted in favour of welcoming women as members on exactly the same basis as men,” said club captain David Sandison. “This vote has immediate effect and as of now Lundin Golf Club is a mixed-membership club.”

The change allows women and girls from the age of 12 to become members of a club that has hosted Open qualifying on a number of occasions and is also the traditonal home of the East of Scotland Open.

“The club celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2018 and looks forward to receiving its first membership applications from ladies in the near future,” stated a press release announcing the decision.

It is understood that Lundin Ladies’ Golf Club, which has been in existence since 1891 and has around 250 members playing its nine-hole course in the 
village, will not be affected in any way by the development.

Last year the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews voted to allow women to join for the first time, and earlier this year Open venue Royal St George’s in Kent opened its doors to women members.

Very few golf clubs in the UK are now single-sex and Royal Troon, which will host next year’s Open Championship, and Muirfield, home of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, are currently undertaking reviews of their men-only policies.

 

Alistair Dunsmuir
By Alistair Dunsmuir December 10, 2015 12:15
Write a comment

4 Comments

  1. Lady Captain August 21, 06:58

    Hi GolfSec, I’m interested in your comment about adverse effects on Troon Ladies – could you elaborate? I’m writing an article about women-only golf clubs and I’m interested in all sides of the issue.

    Many thanks.

    Reply to this comment
  2. GolfSec December 11, 14:44

    Some poor research there from Mr Dunsmuir. Royal Troon are in no way, shape or form removing their men-only policy. This is misinformation and misinterpretation of what has been stated by the club. The issue at Royal Troon is really a red-herring, as there is also Troon Ladies who have equal rights to the use of the course, contrary to any articles you may read. Ladies being allowed to join Royal Troon would adversely affect Troon Ladies, something which I would foresee will happen with Lundin Ladies’ Golf Club, despite what this article asserts.

    I have no issue with single-sex clubs, be they male only or female only. Clubs like Augusta holding themselves up as an example of moving into the 21st century are just looking for advertising. Analyse the ladies who have ‘joined’ there and then tell me if they are truly moving forward, whatever that means.

    Reply to this comment
View comments

Write a comment

<

Join Our Mailing List


Read the latest issues

Advertise With Us

For editorial enquiries in the magazine or online, contact:

Alistair.Dunsmuir@hdidmedia.com


For advertising enquiries in the magazine or online, contact:

georgina.hirst@hdidmedia.com