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Local businesses in East Lothian have revealed their delight after the news that Muirfield will return to the Open Championship rota.
Earlier today, it was announced that women members are now welcomed at the world’s oldest golf club. A two-thirds majority was needed for the proposed change and just over 80% were in favour of it.
As a result, The R&A immediately announced that Muirfield was back on the Open Championship rota after it
was stripped of its place following the controversial outcome of the first postal ballot ten months ago.
It was estimated that the 2013 Open Championship delivered a £70m economic boost to East Lothian and, naturally, Gullane businesses were ecstatic.
“It’s great news,” said Allana Mellors, reservations manager at The Golf Inn (main pic).
“When it was here in 2013, we did very well and as a person who lives in the village, it was nice to see the area thriving as well.
“The general feeling was that there was quite a nice buzz around the place so I am all for it. It’s a lot busier; you have to expect customers three fold to come. If it is a beautiful sunny day then it will be absolutely heaving!”
Luciano Crolla, owner of the Super Fry restaurant (above), agreed, saying: “It’s great for the village and it’s great for local businesses. It was a very good ten days or two weeks for us.
“Unfortunately, it did not make me rich! But it is more the after effect that benefits the local businesses than the week itself.
“It’s advertising Muirfield and Gullane and you get a lot more visitors coming to play golf or visiting the town the weeks after The Open.”
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