Muirfield members will vote again on admitting female members

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Muirfield members voted six weeks ago on changing their club’s constitution and admitting female members for the first time. They came up just short of the two-thirds majority required to make that change.

The fallout has been substantial, including the R&A removing Muirfield from the British Open rotation until the club changes its membership policies. That and further fallout from that failed vote, largely driven by just 33 members of the club, has spurred interest in trying this vote for a second time.

The club’s male-only membership will pursue a follow-up vote on the question, announcing the decision on Monday.

“A substantial majority of our members voted for change and many have voiced their disappointment with the ballot result and with subsequent events,” said Henry Fairweather, captain of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers.

“The Club Committee believes that a clear and decisive vote in favor of admitting women as members is required to enable us to begin the task of restoring the reputation of the Club that has been damaged by the earlier ballot outcome.”

In the May vote, 64 percent of voters wanted to admit female members for the first time in the club’s history.

Club members seemingly would like for Muirfield to remain in the Open rotation and continue on hosting beyond the 16 times it has already been site of the world’s oldest major golf championship.

This year’s Open host, Royal Troon, will vote on Friday to combine its separate male and female memberships. In a test ballot, 75 percent of the membership suggested support for the measure.


Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.

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