Four-time Major winning Rory McIlroy declared it ‘about time’ after Royal Troon Golf Club, and venue for next fortnight’s Open Championship, voted to allow women members.
The club’s male members voted overwhelmingly in favour of allowing women members and now leaving fellow Scottish club Muirfield as the only club to have hosted golf’s oldest major and not allowing women to become members.
The vote took place at a Special General Meeting of Royal Troon Golf Club this evening.
Royal Troon avoids any controversy during Open Championship week next fortnight in voting overwhelming to allow women members.
Dr. Martin Cheyne, Captain, said:
“We have said a number of times recently that it is important for golf clubs to reflect the society in which we exist and the modern world that looks to us. Therefore, I am delighted with the decision taken by Members of Royal Troon this evening and look forward to welcoming women to our great Club. It is the right decision for the Club today, and for the generations of golfers that will follow.
“Tonight, we turn our attention to jointly hosting the 145th Open Championship with our great friends at The Ladies Golf Club, Troon. We can now all be focused on golf and showcasing this wonderful club and golf course to the huge global audience that this most prestigious Championship commands.
“I am grateful for the support of many people, including Scottish Golf – the game’s governing body in Scotland – for its unswerving support and to my Vice-Captain and fellow members of the Committee. I pay special thanks to the Members who turned out tonight for an important discussion and the right decision for Royal Troon Golf Club.”
Muirfield is to again conduct a second vote later this year in the wake of the R & A, and organisers of The Open, acting quickly by dropping the club to the east of Edinburgh from the list of courses on the championship rota.
World No. 4 Rory McIlroy says it’s about time Royal Troon allow women members.
McIlroy welcomed the vote by Royal Troon where the current World No. 4 will attempt to capture a second Claret Jug in three years after breaking through to win a first Open Championship in 2014.
“It’s about time,” said McIlroy after shooting a second round 66 and move into a five-way share of the lead in the 100th French Open near Versailles.
“I said all I needed to say whenever the Muirfield thing happened, as well.
“But we’re in 2016 and it’s just time and besides you’ve got to move with the times.
“I respect that men want their own space, women want their own space. It happens in every household. I mean, my mum and dad are in two separate rooms watching their own programmes on TV.
“People want their own space; but at the same time you need to make it accessible to everyone.
“So it’s a good thing that Royal Troon have voted to allow women members and at least that potential cloud over The Open Championship in a couple weeks has been moved away and it’s a good thing.”
The R & A also welcomed the decision.
“We welcome this decision by the membership at Royal Troon and recognise its significance for the club,” said an R & A spokesperson.
“Our focus today is very much on The 145th Open in just under two weeks’ time but we can now look forward to many more great Championships at Royal Troon in years to come.”
