PERSPECTIVE FROM THE 19TH HOLE: This is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus use an image from my favorite sport, golf. Out of college, my first job was as a reporter for the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon, and I went on from there to practice writing in all of my professional positions, including as a Congressional press secretary in Washington, D.C., an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, press secretary for Oregon’s last Republican governor (Vic Atiyeh), and a private sector lobbyist. This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing public policy – to what I write.
The Honourable Company of Edinburgh golfers finally got it right: It decided to admit women to Muirfield Golf Club in Scotland.
About time!
It took a crusty group of men far too long to make this decision, one that some will say occurred only so as to keep Muirfield in the rotation of golf clubs able to host the British Open – pardon me, “The Open.”
But, whatever the reason, it was time for one of the oldest golf courses in the home of golf, Scotland, to recognize 21st century reality.
Muirfield, formed in 1744, was one of the last clubs to host a major golf event to dig their heels in on membership. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews opened its membership to women in 2014. Royal St. George’s, another British Open site, followed suit a year later. Last year, Royal Troon ended its male-only policy, a few weeks before hosting the British Open.
Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters, deserves a dose of credit for offering membership to women in 2012, however belatedly, and, in doing so, daring the rest of the heel diggers to fall in line behind it.
Here’s the way the New York Times characterized the Muirfield decision:
“Tuesday’s victory was perhaps more about pragmatism than principles. Just over 80 per cent of the men of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh, which runs Muirfield, determined that it is better to have to share membership privileges with the occasional woman than to be excluded from hosting a British Open.
“Of the 621 members who voted, 498 were in favor of admitting women. Last May, 616 members cast ballots, with fewer than 400, or 64 per cent, voting for the resolution.
“Any inclination to warmly welcome the gentlemen of Muirfield into the 21st century is tempered by the fact that 123 members — even confronted with a boycott of their storied course by the Royal and Ancient, the organizer of the British Open — stubbornly thumbed their noses at what passes for progress in the civilized world by voting against admitting women.
“In their defense, the pace of change must be dizzying for those stuck in the era of knee-length trousers, ruffled cravats and tweed jackets. For more than a century, Muirfield had been able to welcome the world to its storied course while keeping women out, except as guests and visitors. Sixteen times, most recently in 2013, Muirfield managed to keep its discriminatory membership policy and host one of golf’s most prestigious championships, too.”
Speaking of the phrase “except as guests and visitors,” my family’s experience adds to this lore. Specifically, it is the experience of my wife and daughter-in-law.
About 15 years ago, we were at Muirfield to watch son Eric play in the British Mid-Am, a golf tournament for which he qualified by playing well in the United States Golf Association Mid-Am in America. [“Mid-Am” refers to the fact that players are at least 25 years of age, which means that college players or those just out of college are not eligible to play.]
Here is the way my wife, Nancy, described the experience of being “allowed” to be at Muirfield, along with Eric’s wife, Holly:
“The British Mid-Am was not expecting a lot of spectators, but as this was a national tournament, the Muirfield members had to provide access to the clubhouse for any women who might show up. Holly and I were there to watch Eric, and we were directed to a minimal powder room and were told that we could also use the dining room for lunch.
“The only reason the clubhouse even had a ladies’ room in this men-only club was to provide a necessary spot for the once-a-year access for wives at the annual Christmas party.
“After following the first blustery, rainy round, we looked forward to warming up over lunch. We were immediately aware that this was no ordinary club cafe. There were long tables filled with distinguished-looking mostly older men in sports coats and ties, and every one of them turned and silently watched two bedraggled females walk into their domain.
“We enjoyed the amazing buffet put out for members every day and the men we talked to at our table were completely polite to us, though seemingly a bit dazed that we were there (and in golf togs!).
“I do like to think that Holly and I may have had a tiny part in integrating the club for women!”
No doubt they did!
Perspective from the 19th Hole 