Muirfield ( no lady members thank you)

[edna krabappel]

Personally, I can't see a problem with a private members club choosing its own membership criteria. However, it is rather short-sighted of the R&A to award hosting of The Open to it, as this was clearly going to be a talking point.

With regard to the WI (as someone mentioned it) they are designated as a charitable organisation, and there are specific laws relating to such organisations which allows them to specify conditions of membership if appropriate to their reason for existence. So a man can't be a member of the WI, but he would be allowed to join in with all their activities if he so wished. But that's because they're a charity. I can't see that many chaps wanting to make jam or organise coffee & cake mornings, but you never know.

 

[Brian Fantana]

With regard to the WI (as someone mentioned it) they are designated as a charitable organisation, and there are specific laws relating to such organisations which allows them to specify conditions of membership if appropriate to their reason for existence. So a man can't be a member of the WI, but he would be allowed to join in with all their activities if he so wished. But that's because they're a charity. I can't see that many chaps wanting to make jam or organise coffee & cake mornings, but you never know.

I would agree. Not that much different to Muirfield, then - women are allowed to play the course as guests of members and obviously attend The Open as spectators. Can't really see the issue, myself.

 

[nwgull]

It's a blessing in disguise. One can only imagine how tediously boring an all-male golf club is.

Sounds ok to me. When I go out and socialise in an all male group, it is far from tediously boring.

 

[edna krabappel]

I would agree. Not that much different to Muirfield, then - women are allowed to play the course as guests of members and obviously attend The Open as spectators. Can't really see the issue, myself.

To be honest, if they're allowed to play on it, then it wouldn't really bother me either. The prospect of attending committee meetings at Muirfield with a bunch of crusty old Scottish octogenarians wearing plaid trousers, sipping 25 year old single malts and discussing car park fees for next season isn't entirely appealing.

 

[rool]

I would agree. Not that much different to Muirfield, then - women are allowed to play the course as guests of members and obviously attend The Open as spectators. Can't really see the issue, myself.

That's where the inequality comes in due to the fact women are allowed to play but not become members.

The Gents club I work at allows no women to access the club at all although most other London gents clubs work on the same basis as Muirfield and may come unstuck in the future.

 

[Brian Fantana]

To be honest, if they're allowed to play on it, then it wouldn't really bother me either. The prospect of attending committee meetings at Muirfield with a bunch of crusty old Scottish octogenarians wearing plaid trousers, sipping 25 year old single malts and discussing car park fees for next season isn't entirely appealing.

Well, quite.

Being able to play the course without the rigmarole of being involved in the club's management seems to be the ideal scenario to me.

 

[Tricky Dicky]

Personally, I can't see a problem with a private members club choosing its own membership criteria. However, it is rather short-sighted of the R&A to award hosting of The Open to it, as this was clearly going to be a talking point.

I don't think they'll be going back there any time soon, from what I was reading his morning. Also, it seems that the womens golf organisations are actually less bothered about the clubs they are excluded from, but more worried about how women are treated at clubs they are allowed to join. It won't be all clubs, I'm sure, my Mother is a member at Rustington (having taken up the game when she was 72, and never played any sport before) and she loves being a member there.

 

[Brian Fantana]

That's where the inequality comes in due to the fact women are allowed to play but not become members.

The Gents club I work at allows no women to access the club at all although most other London gents clubs work on the same basis as Muirfield and may come unstuck in the future.

Presumably if they were to come unstuck legally then womens' gyms would also suffer similarly?

 

[rool]

Presumably if they were to come unstuck legally then womens' gyms would also suffer similarly?

It depends if they allow male guests in I would imagine.

 

[Brian Fantana]

It depends if they allow male guests in I would imagine.

Fair point.

 

[piersa]

wise wise men.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Sounds ok to me. When I go out and socialise in an all male group, it is far from tediously boring.

Put golf into the mix and it will be.

 

[edna krabappel]

Presumably if they were to come unstuck legally then womens' gyms would also suffer similarly?

There aren't many women only gyms are there? As opposed to normal gyms that run women only sessions.

 

[Marshy]

With regard to the WI (as someone mentioned it) they are designated as a charitable organisation, and there are specific laws relating to such organisations which allows them to specify conditions of membership if appropriate to their reason for existence. So a man can't be a member of the WI, but he would be allowed to join in with all their activities if he so wished. But that's because they're a charity. I can't see that many chaps wanting to make jam or organise coffee & cake mornings, but you never know.

You would be suprised, the WRVS Coffee shop at the Princess Royal Hospital is full of Male Volunteers who sell there cakes etc !

That organisation has though dropped the W and is now known as the the Royal Volunteer Service i believe to let the men in.

As should the R&A and various Golf Clubs to let the Women in

 

[nwgull]

There aren't many women only gyms are there? As opposed to normal gyms that run women only sessions.

Yes; there are loads. Curves seems to be the biggest chain of women only gyms. Female insecurity is a massive market.

 

[Brian Fantana]

There aren't many women only gyms are there? As opposed to normal gyms that run women only sessions.

I believe there are a couple of fairly large chains who operate in that sector.

Edit: Ah, just seen the post above - Curves was one of the chains I was thinking of. I'm fairly sure there's another. Either way, quite a popular concept.

 

[Billy Seagull]

Its a private members club and those members, like any other club, make the rules.

What isn't mentioned is that it costs a ****ing fortune to join so I wouldn't be able to join as I can't afford it and despite playing off 6 I wouldn't be welcome. I'll not be whining though.

Get over it.

 

[willyfantastic]

Eton, Winchester College, Harrow School and Radley College are boys only

don't forget much closer to home - Worth College

 

[stripeyshark]

There are no boys only schools around but plenty of girls only schools.

William Parker in Hastings. By the way i think single sex schools are a great institution.

 

[stripeyshark]

It depends if they allow male guests in I would imagine.

Why?