St. Andrews Golf Club Forced to Admit Women

St. Andrews, the birthplace of golf, is finally being forced to admit women because of new British equality laws. In a letter to members, the Scottish club is recommending a change to its rules, even though the regulations now do not specifically bar women, the Daily Mail reports.

St. Andrews could outlaw all women, as private clubs are exempted from the Equality Act, but if it allows them anywhere in the club, it has to allow them everywhere.

Club rules now simply ignore the fairer sex, stipulating that “gentlemen” can apply for full membership, “youths” can get junior membership, and “boys” are eligible for juvenile membership.

In the letter to members, the Scottish club says it has three options to deal with the new legislation. It could bar women from all areas of the club, bar all guests from the members’ lounge or admit women members. The first two options would hit the club’s finances hard, the club acknowledges.

“After much consideration and discussion, as well as a meeting with the past captains and trustees of the club to make them aware of the position, the committee of management is recommending that option three be adopted as the best way, in their opinion, of safeguarding the long-term well-being of St Andrews Golf Club.”