R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers weighed in on womens issues ranging from the upcoming second Muirfield womens membership vote to the possibilities of shared Open Championship venues and equal prize money during a media conference call Monday.With Muirfields all-male membership voting last year against a proposal to invite women as members, the R&A removed the club from its Open Championship rotation. The results of a second vote are expected to be announced sometime next month, with British media reporting members are expecting passage this time.Slumbers said the R&A will consider putting Muirfield back into the rotation if the proposal passes.I was very pleased with their having a second vote, Slumbers said. I think Muirfield is a wonderful golf course. It's a great Open venue.We would reconsider and make an announcement very quickly if that comes through positively.With the R&A and the Ladies Golf Union announcing a merger last year, the R&A will oversee staging of the Ricoh Womens British Open beginning this summer.Slumbers was asked if the R&A would ever consider setting up the mens and womens championships on the same golf course, to be played in consecutive weeks, as the U.S. Open and U.S. Womens Open were at Pinehurst in 2014.Theres a huge amount of appeal to doing that, Slumbers said.Slumbers said Pinehurst was unique as a resort, but theres a great challenge in having the same course host over a two-week run, with the time and setup changes creating a huge imposition on the host club.If we were able to make it work in the future years, I think it would be terrific, he said. But it's not without its potentially insurmountable challenges.Slumbers was also asked about the possibility of creating equal mens and womens purses for the Open championships.My views haven't changed from when this came up last year, he said. Professional golf is a business. It is a function of the revenues that can be earned from sponsors and the costs of staging and prize money that goes into the equation. You have to be aware of that balance around those two things.The Open Championship featured a purse of a little more than $8.5 million last year, the Ricoh Womens British Open a purse of $3 million.I think, directionally, it's very important that the women's purses move up closer to the men's purses, but that my take, Slumbers said. It will take time.
Muirfield will go straight back on to the Open Championship rota if members of the East Lothian club vote in favour of admitting women in a second ballot, despite R&A chief executive Martin
Muirfield Could Return to Open Rota if they Allow Women to
Muirfield has told women interested in joining its ranks to "go for it" but be prepared for a wait after the course reversed a men-only membership policy and was restored as an Open venue.
Willett hails Muirfield's return to Open rota after vote
Muirfield Could Return to Open Rota if they Allow Women to Join, Olympic Venue May Be Moved if They Don't Follow Suit. By Michael Shamburger February 21, 2017 12:55 pm ET Follow @mshamburger1
Muirfield Returns to Open Rota after Vote to Admit Women Members
Following last year's initial ballot that widely embarrassed golf and saw Muirfield - arguably the finest course on the circuit - removed from the Open Championship rotation, the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers has voted to admit women members in a second vote that was released this morning to the delight of the R&A.
Muirfield returns to Open rota after historic vote - Sporting
The game's oldest championship should return to its most iconic championship venue that often. But as for the rest of the rota? Let's share the wealth a bit more. For example: Here are four courses I'd personally love to see added to the Open rota. These venues are not total pie-in-the-sky choices, either.
Willett hails Muirfield's return to Open rota after vote BelfastTelegraph.co.uk Masters champion Danny Willett has welcomed the decision to restore Muirfield to the Open Championship rota after
Players relieved Muirfield returning to The Open rota | Golf
Muirfield poised for return to Open rota? | Golf Channel
R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers weighed in on women's issues ranging, including the upcoming second Muirfield women's membership vote. Muirfield poised for return to Open rota? | Golf
Muirfield poised to admit women, return to British Open
Muirfield could go back onto the Open Championship rota as early as Tuesday if the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers votes to accept women members. The results of a second vote on allowing
'Yes' vote will see Muirfield return to Open rota - The Scotsman
Players pleased to see Muirfield return to the rota. Will Gray reports on the players' positive action to Muirfield returning to The Open rota because of the tough but fair test of that course.
Muirfield stripped of Open rota place: Key questions answered
sport.bt.com/more-sport-hub/more-sport/muirfield-stripped-of-open-rota-place-key-questions-answered-S11364062059791
Muirfield stripped of Open rota place: Key questions answered Muirfield has been dropped from the Open Championship rota after a vote on admitting women members failed to achieve the two-thirds
4 Courses We'd Like To See Host The Open Championship
0 Comments