Royal & Ancient Golf Club Overwhelmingly Approves Women Members


On Thursday, September 18, 2014, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews reversed a 260-year ban on women members. In a club-wide vote of its 2,400 international members, about three-quarters of them cast ballots, with 85 percent approving a bylaw change that approves women as members.

The policy will take effect immediately. The club said some women already on its radar will be put on the fast track for membership to avoid spending time on its long waiting list.

During its spring meeting in May, R&A club secretary Peter Dawson said, "I think it's the right thing, and I hope that R&A members do what's right for golf."

Dawson later noted, "We wouldn't be entering this if we didn't feel there was strong member support for it."

On Thursday after the vote was counted, Dawson said in a statement, "I am very pleased indeed to announce that the membership of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews has voted overwhelmingly in favor of welcoming women members."

The response from the U.S. was positive. In a statement, the LPGA said, "The LPGA is happy to hear that the members of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club in St. Andrews have voted to include female members. This decision is certainly a step in the right direction and one that better captures the current diversity and inclusiveness of our great game."

Added PGA of America president Ted Bishop, "Women have played and will continue to play an integral role in the game of golf. In fact, women represent the biggest growth market in the sport, and every step to make golf more inclusive is good for the game. The PGA of America is thrilled that the R&A is welcoming women into its organization, and loudly applauds its decision."

Many observers - both within and outside of golf - considered the R&A's all-male membership policy outdated and no longer relevant in contemporary society.

The organization, along with the United States Golf Association, is responsible for making and administering the rules of golf worldwide. The R&A also oversees the annual Open Championship in the U.K., one of the game's four major championships.