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Golf: is it too much to ask Muirfield to make room for women? Golf: is it too much to ask Muirfield to make room for women?
(2 months later)
Scotland can be proud of the part played by women in its historical struggles to achieve social justice. Three of them come readily to mind: Mary Barbour, whose Glasgow rent strike in 1915 improved tenants' rights throughout the UK; Flora Drummond, the Arran post office worker who became the suffragettes' chief strategist; and Elsie Inglis, who established relief hospitals for soldiers in the first world war.Scotland can be proud of the part played by women in its historical struggles to achieve social justice. Three of them come readily to mind: Mary Barbour, whose Glasgow rent strike in 1915 improved tenants' rights throughout the UK; Flora Drummond, the Arran post office worker who became the suffragettes' chief strategist; and Elsie Inglis, who established relief hospitals for soldiers in the first world war.
Every two or three years, though, Scotland's commitment to equality and fairness diminishes when one of its notorious cadre of sexist golf clubs hosts the Open championship. On Thursday, the 142nd Open gets under way at Muirfield, perhaps the most perniciously sexist of them all. Women are not permitted to be members of this club and thus, by virtue of it hosting the world's greatest golf tournament, Scotland tells the world that women are second-class citizens.Every two or three years, though, Scotland's commitment to equality and fairness diminishes when one of its notorious cadre of sexist golf clubs hosts the Open championship. On Thursday, the 142nd Open gets under way at Muirfield, perhaps the most perniciously sexist of them all. Women are not permitted to be members of this club and thus, by virtue of it hosting the world's greatest golf tournament, Scotland tells the world that women are second-class citizens.
It's for this reason that Alex Salmond, Scotland's first minister, refused his annual invitation this year. Mr Salmond, though, was acting in a private capacity and the government he leads will still be represented at Muirfield.It's for this reason that Alex Salmond, Scotland's first minister, refused his annual invitation this year. Mr Salmond, though, was acting in a private capacity and the government he leads will still be represented at Muirfield.
Britain's equality laws permit private clubs to practise discrimination such as this and there have been few, if any, challenges. If Muirfield similarly discriminated against blacks, Muslims or gays there would be a UK-wide outcry. So why is discrimination against women allowed?Britain's equality laws permit private clubs to practise discrimination such as this and there have been few, if any, challenges. If Muirfield similarly discriminated against blacks, Muslims or gays there would be a UK-wide outcry. So why is discrimination against women allowed?
With a few notable exceptions, golf writers have been acquiescent in this anti-women prejudice, while no pampered golf professional would ever let a principle get in the way of a pay cheque. And as far as the sponsors are concerned, well … ethics and profits simply don't mix.With a few notable exceptions, golf writers have been acquiescent in this anti-women prejudice, while no pampered golf professional would ever let a principle get in the way of a pay cheque. And as far as the sponsors are concerned, well … ethics and profits simply don't mix.
The Scottish government is proud of the fact that thousands of boys and girls are taking up golf. It's criminal that they will come to know the sport they love treats women as lesser beings. That many will carry these attitudes into adulthood is more than a crime – it's a tragedy.The Scottish government is proud of the fact that thousands of boys and girls are taking up golf. It's criminal that they will come to know the sport they love treats women as lesser beings. That many will carry these attitudes into adulthood is more than a crime – it's a tragedy.
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