Muirfield GC overturns men-only policy

So there we have it. Muirfield has dragged itself into the 20th century (we'll hold fire on welcoming them to the 21st century for now) and voted to 'allow' women as members for the first time in its history.

Members at the privately-owned club voted 80.2% in favour of updating their membership policy.

"Women? Yes, I've heard talk... fascinating creatures I hear..."

It's probably no coincidence that the decision comes in the wake of the R&A deciding to remove Muirfield as a host venue for the Open Championship after it failed to vote the women in back in 2016. Muirfield has staged the Open 16 times and last hosted the event in 2013.

Muirfield GC Club captain Henry Fairweather announced the result at 11:30am. The postal ballot of members returned 498 votes in favour of change, with 123 votes (19.8%) against. A total of 621 votes were counted, a 92.7% turnout.

Mr Fairweather said: "This is a significant decision for a club which was founded in 1744 and retains many of the values and aspirations of its founding members.

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

The Muirfield clubhouse. Now Ladies' choice...

The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (basically a collection of posh Scottish lawyers), which owns and runs Muirfield, had recommended its members update their rules. However, following the 2016 vote which failed to overturn the ban on female members, the club was told it would no longer host the Open.

Since then the R&A has said that this decision could be reconsidered if the policy changed.

Despite previously not being able to become members of Muirfield, women had been able to play on the links course and visit the clubhouse as guests and visitors.

Related:

GolfPunk's Muirfield verdict