R&A TO ALLOW WOMEN’S
BRITISH OPEN COMPETITORS
TO USE CLUBHOUSE

The Royal & Ancient Golf Club – which has an all-male membership – is to open the doors of its famous clubhouse at the Old Course to the competitors in the Weetabix Women’s British Open over the Old Course in August.
The ladies will be given full use of the entire building, including the Big Room and the locker rooms.
The Ladies Golf Union, which runs the Women’s British Open, has come out against any future events under its auspices being held at a club which debars female membership.
But the all the St Andrews courses are municipal venues, owned and run by the St Andrews Links Trust. The Royal & Ancient Golf Club does not own the Old Course although it has its clubhouse beside the 18th green and behind the first tee.
As Lesley Burn, appointed chief executive of the LGU last year,
“If we had stuck to our principles, then we wouldn’t go there. But this is St Andrews and the opportunity to use such an iconic building and to work with the R&A is’nt something we should snub.
“If the R&A are prepared to welcome us, I, for one, am not going to turn down their offer. It’s an opportunity to cement our relationship with the R&A.
“Having the championship at the Old Course is a wonderful opportunity. It is a huge chance to the women’s game to raise its profile.”
Susan Simpson, Carnoustie-born LGU Director of Championships, said:
This will be the first time most of the players will have played the Old Course and we are determined to do things properly.”