The Royal & Ancient Golf Club to Vote on Scrapping Male-Only Rule

Pressure has been building on the R&A to changes its male-only policy, especially after Augusta National Golf Club last year invited two women to join at the home of the Masters

The Royal & Ancient Golf Club is asking its members to vote in favor of allowing women to join for the first time.

A statement from the R&A on Wednesday said the club will vote in September on a motion to admit female members. The club's committees are in favor of the rule changes and are asking the 2,4000 members to support it.

Pressure has been building on the R&A to changes its male-only policy, especially after Augusta National Golf Club last year invited two women to join at the home of the Masters. The British Open last year was held at Muirfield, which also has a male-only membership policy.

If the vote is favorable, women would be allowed to join the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews.

The R&A governs golf everywhere in the world except for the United States and Mexico. It also organizes the British Open and other championships. However, it shifted responsibility for the Open and administering the Rules of Golf to separate entity in 2004 known as The R&A.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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