Royal St George’s to admit women members

• Open host venue alters membership policy
• 90% of those who vote in ballot vote in favour of move
• Change to come into effect immediately

Royal St George’s has voted to admit women members for the first time in its history, according to the Press Association.

In a move that mirrors the landmark decision by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club in St Andrews last September, England’s most used Open Championship host venue has agreed to do away with its single-gender policy.

A statement from the club released to the Press Association read: “The Royal St George’s Golf Club is pleased to announce that, following an extraordinary general meeting held on 14th February 2015 and a subsequent ballot of the full members of the Club, a resolution to alter the Club’s rules to make ladies eligible for membership has been duly passed.

“Under the Club’s rules, the resolution would only be passed if it obtained the support of three-quarters of the votes cast on the ballot. More than 81 per cent of the full members took part in the ballot and a decisive 90 per cent voted in favour of ladies being eligible for membership.

“The alteration of the Club’s rules has immediate effect and the Club looks forward to welcoming ladies as junior and full members.”

Royal St George’s has hosted the Open on 14 occasions, most recently in 2011.

Royal St George’s decision means that Royal Troon and the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (Muirfield) are the only remaining male-only golf clubs on the Open Championship rota, although that, too, could change.

Royal Troon, host venue for the 2016 Open Championship, has already confirmed that it will “undertake a comprehensive review to consider the most appropriate membership policy for the future”, whilst Muirfield is set to published a report later this month upon the completion of a review of its membership criteria.

Royal St George’s has hosted the Open on 14 occasions, most recently in 2011 when Europe’s newly-appointed Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke won his maiden major.

Only St Andrews, Prestwick and Muirfield have staged golf’s oldest professional tournament on more occasions.

Royal St George’sdecision :: your thoughts

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Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor