Alex Salmond welcomes pledge on men-only golf venues

The First Minister has welcomed news that the Scottish Open’s biggest sponsor will not agree to the event being played at men-only golf clubs.

Aberdeen Asset Management chief executive Martin Gilbert said the firm disagrees with any policies which discriminate against women.

The company is signed on as the main sponsor of the event until 2017.

Mr Gilbert’s comments follow the controversy over the staging of the recent Open Championship at the men-only Muirfield, which was met with criticism.

The First Minister Alex Salmond said: “As the home of golf, Scotland has a responsibility to promote equality in the game and that is why the Scottish Government has made clear our preference that all clubs in this country adopt a policy that gives full playing rights to women for our wonderful courses.”

Mr Salmond welcomed Aberdeen Asset Management’s stance as he highlighted the strength of women’s golf before the Ricoh Women’s British Open in St Andrews, which begins on Thursday.