May 26, 2016
Muirfield
Nevertheless the cause the old buffers are defending is surely doomed. You can only defy public opinion for so long. Resisting the “spirit of the age” is like spitting against the wind; it blows back in your face. Condemnation of the vote has come not only from politicians, and from those who argue that holding the Open Championship gives a £45 million boost to the local economy; it has come from within the world of golf. Catriona Matthew, who has represented Europe in the Solheim Cup against the U.S.A., says the vote makes her ashamed to be a golfer from East Lothian. And Rory McIlroy, the most popular golfer this side of the Atlantic, says quite simply and sensibly: “They can do what they want but in this day and age it’s not right to host the world’s biggest tournament at a place that does not allow women to become members. Hopefully they can see some sense and we can get it back there someday. The R&A did the right thing.”
Well, I”ve no doubt that Rory wants to play in a Muirfield Open, and hopes to join the likes of Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson as a Muirfield champion. Equally I”ve no doubt he will get the chance to do so. There will be another vote, probably in a year or so. It has been reported that the club captain, Henry Fairweather, and his committee are meeting soon to discuss the fallout over the vote and the R&A’s decision. Mr. Fairweather is himself in favor of admitting ladies to membership, and it’s likely that, having made their point, a number of those who voted “no” will bite the bullet and, at worst, abstain next time.
So there will be a majority, ladies will become members, Muirfield will be back on the Open Championship rota, and Rory will have the chance to see his name on the distinguished list of Muirfield Open champions. In a few years people will wonder what all the fuss was about. I only hope that when the ladies are admitted to membership, they will respect the traditions of the club, play foursomes, and spend two and a half hours over lunch.
