R&A Chief Executive Martin Slumbers Responds Swiftly To Muirfield Vote

Following the disappointing result of a vote at Muirfield (home to the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers) that retained the club's controversial all-male status, the R&A's Chief Executive Martin Slumbers has responded swiftly with an emphatic statement of his own.

“We have consistently said that it is a matter for the Honourable Company to conduct a review of its membership policy and that we would await their decision.

“The R&A has considered today’s decision with respect to The Open Championship. The Open is one of the world’s great sporting events and going forward we will not stage the Championship at a venue that does not admit women as members.

“Given the schedule for staging The Open, it would be some years before Muirfield would have been considered to host the Championship again. If the policy at the club should change we would reconsider Muirfield as a venue for The Open in future.”

Is this a sad day for golf and its perception in the UK, or has the R&A's decisive response done enough to rectify the damage? Let us know what you think.