The British Open will be at Turnberry next month, but it's Muirfield, which last hosted the tournament in 2002, that has drawn sharp criticism from Gary Player, who won there in 1959. At 23, he became the youngest Open Champion in history, but it's the club's antiquated men-only policy that has him speaking out now, a half-century later.
"I don't see the point of excluding any member of society." ...I suspect Player's remarks will carry more weight than Martha Burk's, even though their arguments are virtually the same. The biggest difference: Player has been an ambassador for the sport for most of his life, which comes with some built-in credibility. Also: he didn't organize a protest outside the entrance to the club (as Burk did at the 2003 Masters).
"One thing travel has taught me is to have respect for other people's point of view but I have to tell you, I do not agree with (the policy]. Golf would not be the game it is without women. Winston Churchill said that change is the price of survival. I agree with that. I just don't see the point of excluding any member of society."
The veteran added: "That policy is their business. It's a decision they've made and they've got to live with it. I have designed many golf courses all over the world and I wouldn't like to think any of them would exclude women."
In 2003, then-Augusta National chairman Hootie Johnson, wrote that the club does "not intend to become a trophy in [Burk and the National Council of Women's Organizations] display case ... There may well come a day when women will be invited to join our membership, but that timetable will be ours and not at the point of a bayonet."
Muirfield secretary Alastair Brown didn't throw down the gauntlet Hootie-style, but his response was pointed.
"We are a private members' club and we conduct our own affairs. We don't have lady members, but ladies play here every day as guests. ... I'm interested in Gary's comments. His views haven't stopped him from returning... "I have no idea why Player would patronize a club when he disagrees with their membership policy. But I'm willing to give the guy a break since, as the Scotsman points out, in the 1970s, he was condemned as a traitor by South Africa's apartheid regime after inviting Arthur Ashe and Lee Elder to play at the Royal and Ancient Golf Club.
That aside, Brown's point remains: Muirfield is private. And while I may not agree with the decision to exclude women, I'm not sure the club should be strong-armed into changing their rules for the sake of public opinion or social conventions. But they also shouldn't be allowed to host another Open Championship (the tournament returns in 2013), and players who disagree with the policy should vote with their feet.
In 2002, the last time the British Open came to Muirfield, Jesper Parnevik's wife Mia commented: "To say to people, 'No women and dogs allowed' is ridiculous in the 21st century." I'm guessing the club would be more likely to reconsider their stance should some of the world's top players decide to skip the tournament in '13.
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Japan's Ryo Ishikawa holds the trophy after winning the Mizuno Open golf tournament on the Japan Golf Tour at Yomiuri Country Club in Nishinomiya, western Japan, Sunday, June 28, 2009. Teenager Ishikawa finished at 13-under 275 and qualify for the British Open next month. (AP Photo/Kyodo News) ** JAPAN OUT MANDATORY CREDIT FOR COMMERCIAL USE ONLY IN NORTH AMERICA **
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
6-28-2009 @ 1:19PM
comtox said...
Looks like the chickens are coming home to roast.
Reply
6-28-2009 @ 1:32PM
dskaalrud5 said...
Either the author, Ryan Wison, or his editor need to put their glasses on or go back to college to learn how to write again.
Reply
6-28-2009 @ 2:01PM
jensila said...
Give it a break there is alot of women only clubs out there. Women and men need a break from each other now and then. So what if there is a place men or women only go.
Reply
6-28-2009 @ 2:23PM
rgjcalvin said...
What a joke. Everything has to be politically correct or what? Someone gets offended? Be offended! You don't like private clubs for men or women then go find another hobby. This goes for you too Mr. Player.
Reply
6-28-2009 @ 2:28PM
Hey their Boski said...
While I certainly admire Gary Player, the privacy of clubs are determined by the Boards of those clubs, and the laws of the land. Simply, if you don't care for the rules, don't play. A very large percentage of clubs have women playing every day, however, many of the women are considered guests of their husbands with no voting rights.
Reply
6-28-2009 @ 2:36PM
hd03rider said...
No matter weather you are male or female you need a break from the other sex every so often.
Reply
6-28-2009 @ 2:43PM
rthate said...
There SHOULD be just some things men are allowed to do without women, and some things women to do without men. After all, there are plenty of clubs,etc, open for both already.Why make a problem with the FEW that aren't. Oh well, what would this world be like if one side or the other wasn't complaining about something, I guess that is what makes the world go around..I guess.
Reply
6-28-2009 @ 2:50PM
ronnierose51 said...
why do women need to be menbers and vote
Reply
6-28-2009 @ 2:58PM
dxxy4u said...
Just give all the women a penis, and that will solve the problem. It seem that's what they want. Then give their vagina to the men. No sooner than the men start an "All Vagina Club", the women would say I want my Vagina back.
Reply
6-28-2009 @ 3:02PM
hookmrl said...
hey if the women dont like it save your money and build your own course and play all you want too adn shut the hell up
Reply
6-28-2009 @ 3:14PM
willdcasey said...
Let Muirfield do as they do in Europe. Allow women members but restrict their play before 11AM to only sub 20 handicappers.
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6-28-2009 @ 4:10PM
dxxy4u said...
I don't have to worry about how you feel about Tiger.
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6-28-2009 @ 4:27PM
draw984 said...
We men need some space and my wife is sensitive to that and sees no reason to object to all-men's clubs. I played Butler National and at the time, women were not allowed inside the gate. Members were fined if their wives called them at the club. As a result of this policy, Butler lost the Western Open franchise which moved to Cog Hill. With women around, we men can't act as men do on the course.
Reply
6-28-2009 @ 5:41PM
Harpie said...
What a bunch of PIGS you are....
Reply
6-28-2009 @ 5:56PM
Tony said...
What is so hard to understand? ALL MEN means NO WOMEN. Sometimes MEN need time away from their WIVES (or domestic partners). Cut us some slack!
Reply
6-28-2009 @ 6:22PM
geraldr5 said...
If you can't argue intelligent, by all means revert to name-calling. It seems to be a favorite pasttime of the politically correct.
Reply
6-28-2009 @ 6:28PM
Bob said...
Have a new rule. Maximum handicap, based on age. If you can't play within the maximum handicap, your privileges are revoked. The catch? No women's tees. We want to be fair, don't we?
Reply
6-28-2009 @ 7:01PM
ROBERT said...
GOLF was started on this policy "gentlemen only ladies forbidden"
Reply
6-28-2009 @ 7:14PM
gailgrprns3 said...
WHO CARES ANYMORE ABOUT GARY PLAYER???....WHO IS THAT OLD RABBIT???? IS HE THE OLD GUY THAT HAS A FEW OF MISSTRESSES IN EVERY CONTINENT AROUND THE WORLD?
Reply
6-28-2009 @ 7:15PM
gailgrprns3 said...
SHAME ON YOU OLD RABBIT....YOUR WIFE ONLY STAYS FOR THE MONEY!!!!
Reply