Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond confirmed he will boycott next week’s British Open over Muirfield’s all-male membership policy.
The Honorable Company of Edinburgh Golfers club at Muirfield is hosting golf’s oldest major for a 16th time and despite the controversy surrounding the club’s decision not to allow female members.
The golf-mad Salmond, who had played a social round earlier today at the nearby Fortrose and Rosemarkie Club before heading back to watch the action on day three of the Scottish Open, will not travel to next week to Muirfield purely because of the club’s actions.
Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond (c) reaffirms he will boycott next week’s Open Championship. (Photo – Stuart Adams/www.golftourimages.com)
And this despite the presence on site at Muirfield of a huge Scottish Government backed Scotland tourism promotion ahead of next year’s Ryder Cup.
“I said a few weeks ago that it’s just indefensible in the 21st century not to have golf clubs open to both males and females,” he said.
“I would be delighted if Muirfield decided to set up the Honorable Company of Edinburgh Lady Golfers Club and have playing rights to the course.
“I just object to clubs where people of both sexes can’t be members of the course.
“So that view hasn’t changed as my message to clubs like Muirfield, and I can name all the all-male clubs in the UK, is that not to have female members sends out entirely the wrong message about the future of golf.”
And Salmond also confirmed the proceeds of organized crime will continued to be used in helping community and sporting projects in Scotland.
“The proceeds seized from organized crime has been a valuable source of funds, and we just want to express our gratitude to organized criminals everywhere for this,” laughed Salmon.
“The Proceeds of Crime initiative has provided not only support for golf but for football and other sporting events, and the principal of taking assets from people who have broken the law and recycling it back into the community to support good projects which do great things for people is an outstanding principle that’s been introduced and is very, very heavily supported.
“So I hope it’s helped, given the continuation of sponsorship, and the Lord Advocate and the Assistant General get up to the mark and I’ve told them to go ahead with these prosecutions as quickly as possible to secure the future of this great tournament and other fine causes under the Proceeds of Crime support.”
Salmond had joined the European Tour and Scottish Open sponsors, Aberdeen Asset Management in announcing the 2014 Scottish Open will be heading to the Royal Aberdeen course in Aberdeen next year.
