Sign up for our daily newsletter

Want latest news, reviews, analysis, deals, and events, and offers from our commercial partners? We’ve got you.

The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers look set to admit women
members for the first time in the Muirfield club’s 273-year history.

The outcome of a second postal ballot is expected tomorrow at 11.30am and, according to the Daily Mail, members are set to vote ‘Yes’ after being encouraged to do so by the club’s captain, captain nominate and committee.

Last May, the vote to admit women members fell 14 votes short of the
two-thirds majority needed to pass the motion, a decision that caused
widespread outrage and resulted in the East Lothian venue losing its
place on the Open rota.

At the time, chief executive of The R&A Martin Slumbers was adamant Muirfield would not host The Open again until it changed its membership but, speaking last month, hinted the course would be set for a return when it did.

Read more -> The R&A select 2020 Open Championship venue

Martin Slumbers

“I’m very pleased that they are having a second vote,” Slumbers told Golf Digest. “Muirfield
is a wonderful course and it is a great Open venue. We will make an
announcement very quickly after the result of the vote is known.

“We believe that golf should be open to all, regardless of gender, skin colour, religion or nationality.

“This is, however, a matter for the club and is really none of my
business. So I don’t want to pre-judge the result. But the more the game
looks at encouraging families and younger people the better.”

Should members vote ‘Yes’ next month and Muirfield is reinstated to
The Open rota, the earliest it is likely to host the event is 2022.

Muirfield last host The Open in 2013, where Phil Mickelson claimed
his fifth major title and what is still his most recent professional
win.

More Reads

Image Turnberry green

The bunkered Golf Course Guide - Scotland

Now, with bunkered, you can discover the golf courses Scotland has to offer. Trust us, you will not be disappointed.

Find Courses

Latest podcast

The PLAYERS Championship