Open Golf Host Troon Votes To Admit Women

Members of one of Scotland's most famous golf clubs have voted to admit women.

Royal Troon - which will host this year's Open Championship - was one of only two Open venues to be male only.

The other, Muirfield, has been banned from hosting golf's oldest major tournament after its members rejected allowing women to join earlier this year.

Organisers of the vote on Friday evening said Troon's members "overwhelmingly" agreed to welcome women to the club.

A review of membership policy was announced by Troon at the start of 2015 and was not initially due to be concluded until later this year.

But the South Ayrshire club brought the vote forward to before this year's Open, which takes place between 14 and 17 July.

Club captain Martin Cheyne 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."

Two of the other 14 venues that have hosted the Open, Royal St George's in Kent and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, voted to end their male only policies in the last two years.

Troon had previously regarded itself a special case because it shares facilities with the Ladies Golf Club, Troon.

Muirfield is planning to hold another vote on female membership.

A spokesman for The Royal and Ancient, which organises the Open, said: "We welcome this decision by the membership at Royal Troon and recognise its significance for the club."