Royal Troon has decided to fast track its process of admitting women members ahead of staging this year’s Open Championship. The club has called a special general meeting, scheduled for July, to vote on admitting women for the first time in its 137-year history.
A recent survey by the club revealed that 75% of the membership was in favour of becoming a mixed club.
‘Following our consultation with members, the committee of Royal Troon Golf Club is moving to convene a Special General Meeting on the first of July, at which we will propose that the Constitution of the Club is changed to allow women members to join on exactly the same basis as the men,’ club captain Martin Cheyne said.
‘Recently we spoke about the need for our club to reflect the modern society in which we exist, and I am pleased that a large majority of members who responded to our survey agree and support opening the club to women.’
Royal Troon began a consultation process on the issue last January. In April, Cheyne said the special general meeting would not take place until the end of this year.
The recent furore following the decision by the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers at Muirfield to reject women members has no doubt forced Royal Troon into a rethink. The club was facing the same barrage of criticism during this year’s Open Championship that surrounded the 2013 Open at Muirfield. The R&A also came under fire in 2013 from politicians and the media for taking its marquee championship to an all-male club.
‘Looking ahead to the Open Championship, we want Scotland to be proud of Royal Troon Golf Club and the Ladies’ Golf Club, Troon as we jointly host this most prestigious competition in front of a worldwide audience,’ Cheyne added.
‘That is why we are moving quickly to a Special General Meeting and to have these matters resolved as swiftly as possible following our consultation. We will make a further statement after that meeting.’
From golfweek.com
