R AND A WON'T BE RUSHED INTO FOLLOWING AUGUSTA NATIONAL EXAMPLE

FROM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEBSITE

By JAMES CORRIGAN

As Condoleezza Rice and Darla Moore accept the chance to become green jackets (worn by members)  at Augusta National Golf Club, The Royal and Ancient does not look like hurrying into a decision to change its male-only club rules.

The Royal and Ancient will not be rushed into admitting female members in the wake of Augusta National’s decision to invite two women to join their previously all-male club.

A statement from the club — which, in its 258-year history, has acted as the game’s governing body in the majority of the world, as well as overseen the running of the Open — seemed to welcome Augusta’s move but also reiterated its own no-female policy.

“We read the announcement from Augusta National with great interest and we congratulate Condoleezza Rice and Darla Moore on their membership,” read the statement. “The rules of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews specify a male membership and this policy remains a matter for our members to determine.”

As the statement points out it is “the Royal and Ancient Golf Club” which is male-only. Eight years ago, the club — which has approximately 2,500 members - devolved its governance responsibilities to a new group of companies known as “the R&A”, which employs men and women.

Nevertheless, the perception remains of the Royal and Ancient Club, with its iconic clubhouse behind the Old Course’s 18th, as the game’s overlords and as soon as Augusta revealed its break with tradition the spotlight fell on St Andrews. And the R&A executives will be aware that the glare will intensify before and during next year’s Open.

Muirfield plays host to the 2013 Championship, a club near Edinburgh renowned for its male-only ­restrictions. It is one of three courses on the Open rota without female members — Troon and Sandwich being the others .

Because Rice and Moore have accepted the chance to become green-jackets, the Open’s “traditional trio” will be the only courses hosting majors with male-only membership policies. So the R&A can, and will, expect heat, even if the Royal and Ancient does have a female member by next July. Peter Dawson, the R&A’s chief executive, has been consistent on the issue, saying the organisation has no problem with single-sex clubs of either gender. There are many women-only clubs in the UK.
The difference is, of course, these clubs do not hold one of the greatest championships in the sport. And because of that, the Royal and Ancient, or the R&A, will be depicted as being isolated in a most contentious regard. 

TONY JOHNSTONE WESTWOOD'S SHORT-GAME COACH

Meanwhile, Lee Westwood has appointed Tony Johnstone as his short-game coach after parting with Pete Cowen at the USPGA two weeks ago. Johnstone is a surprise choice as apart from working with European Tour pros Chris Wood and Robert Rock he isn’t known as a coach. But the South African’s short-game was always admired on Tour. 
“I’ve always been a big fan of Westy’s,” said Johnstone. “To be honest, it’s always driven me a bit doollaly [Westwood] not winning majors because of his short-game.”