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.”
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.”
Labels: Amateur Ladies
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