Scotland’s leading woman golfer believes the R&A should “lead by example” in allowing female members.
Former British Women’s Open champion Catriona Matthew thinks it’s inevitable there will be change at the prominent single-sex clubs in Scotland, including the R&A and the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, which hosts this year’s Open Championship at Muirfield.
In the meantime, however, she is concerned the club’s stance on equality as a governing body overshadows the work it does for the game worldwide.
“I think it would be a great move by the R&A (to admit women members),” she said.
“It’s tough for them to tell Muirfield to do it when they don’t have women members themselves. They should lead by example.
“It does seem crazy that they are kind of in charge of golf for, I don’t know, 80% of the world and they don’t have any lady members.
“Personally I would like to see it happen, but I’m not a fanatic. The R&A do so much for golf, they put a lot into women’s golf, it’s a shame in a way that that can get lost.”
However Matthew, surely herself a prime candidate if the R&A were seeking a distinguished figure in the game to break the gender barrier, believes it will happen eventually and doesn’t accept the argument that just a handful of women members would be tokenistic.
“I’d say inevitably it will change, I think Augusta letting in the two this year was great. You can’t force these clubs to do it, they’ll do it in their own time.
“You have to start somewhere. What they did in Augusta was a start, and in 50 years hopefully there’ll be a few more.
“You can’t suddenly have 50% women members or let in 20 in one go. They have limits on how many members they can have.”
Matthew is perhaps East Lothian’s best known golfing citizen, but has herself played Muirfield only twice.
“I’m 43 now and I’ve lived here all my life, and I’m sure if I asked I would could play it,” she said.
“But there are so many other courses to play I’m a member at North Berwick, Gullane and Archerfield, so I’m spoiled for choice here.”
Matthew was taking a break from the LPGA Tour in the US to preview the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Ladies’ Open in August secured for Archerfield for another two years.
“It’s a great event to have so close to home,” said the Scot, who won the event in its first year at the venue in 2011.
Matthew is warming into her season nicely with the aim of another Solheim Cup appearance, an event in which she has an outstanding record, never having lost a singles.
“It’s been a solid enough start, three top 10s, and I’m pleased with how my game is going,” she said.
“The Solheim Cup is the best week every two years. It’s so different playing in a team with people you’re usually trying to beat, but everyone wants to beat the Americans.”
Read Steve Scott’s blog on single-sex clubs.