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| Royal St George's golf club ends 128-year 'no women' rule | Royal St George's golf club ends 128-year 'no women' rule |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| An Open golf venue in Britain has lifted its ban on female members for the first time in its 128-year history. | An Open golf venue in Britain has lifted its ban on female members for the first time in its 128-year history. |
| Royal St George's in Sandwich had been one of three clubs on the Open rota with a men-only membership policy. | Royal St George's in Sandwich had been one of three clubs on the Open rota with a men-only membership policy. |
| A "decisive" 90% of members voted in favour of altering the Kent club's rules and allowing women to join with immediate effect. | A "decisive" 90% of members voted in favour of altering the Kent club's rules and allowing women to join with immediate effect. |
| In a statement, the club said it looked forward to welcoming ladies as junior and full members. | In a statement, the club said it looked forward to welcoming ladies as junior and full members. |
| 'Right decision' | |
| It has hosted the Open 14 times, with the last tournament in July 2011. | It has hosted the Open 14 times, with the last tournament in July 2011. |
| Professional golfer Jason Barnes, from Kent, welcomed the decision to end the previous policy. | |
| "Obviously, it is the right decision," he said. | |
| "Golf needs to be brought up to date. I wish them the best of luck with it." | |
| Two remaining Open venues in Scotland have male-only membership policies - Muirfield in East Lothian and Royal Troon in South Ayrshire, which has separate men's and women's clubs. |