'You can come in now but not join,' historic golf club tells women

But the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, which is credited with writing the first rules of the Royal and Ancient Game, is set to break with 267 years of tradition and rewrite its own constitution to allow the fairer sex access to the hallowed public rooms at its clubhouse overlooking the 18th green at Muirfield, East Lothian.

It was revealed yesterday that following a special meeting of the club's membership, women will be able to enjoy the same facilities that are offered to male guests at the prestigious course, which has played host to the Open Championship 15 times.

Twelve months ago the club was embroiled in a controversy when members of the Scottish Bar condemned Muirfield's "sexist" membership policy.

Jacqueline Williamson, a member of the Faculty of Advocates who specialises in employment and discrimination, declared that its refusal to allow women membership was "socially and morally repugnant".

Female players and guests, who are currently restricted to a changing room with its own entrance, will now be permitted entry to both the previously male only "Smoking Room" and opulent dining room.

One club insider said: "There were various options on the table about reforming the constitution of the club following the new Equality Act.

"One of the issues that was discussed was full membership for women and that was dismissed."

Another member told The Scotsman: "Members agreed the club should continue to be fully compliant with the requirements of the Equality Act and arrangements are being made to allow women to gain access to club facilities from which they are currently excluded - the Dining Room and the Smoking Room.

"Apart from the men's Locker Room they will essentially be allowed entry to all the main public rooms in the clubhouse."

Margo MacDonald, the campaigning independent politician, welcomed the decision.

But she said: "I am torn between two strands of logic here. On one hand they may as well as let the ladies become full members if all of the facilities are now open to them.

"On the other hand private clubs, where they are not threatening society, should be allowed to have their own rules and regulations and I can see why men would want to have a men only place in which to meet, the same as women can go to places where they know it's only going to be female company."

Jim Hume, the Liberal Democrat list candidate for the South of Scotland, said: "This sounds like a step in the right direction."

But Bill Butler, Labour's sport spokesman, declared: "Muirfield Golf Club should move from the 18th to the 21st century. Of course women should be able to be full members of Muirfield as with every other golf club in Scotland."

Alastair Brown, the club secretary, declined to comment on the outcome of the meeting. He said: "It's a private club. We keep our affairs to ourselves."

Course where stars are welcome… sometimes

MUIRFIELD is one of the most prestigious private clubs in world golf and its membership has traditionally included prominent High Court judges and captains of industry.

Its current membership includes Lord Sutherland, the High Court Judge, Sir Peter Burt, the former head of the Bank of Scotland, former Scottish international rugby stars Gavin Hastings and Andy Irvine and comedian Ronnie Corbett, below left, who has a home close to the historic Gullane course.

Christopher Lee, the Dracula actor, right, got his teeth into a membership card, but Ludovic Kennedy, the broadcaster and author, had his application rejected. He claimed it had been blocked by lawyers because of his attempt to clear a convicted safebreaker he believed was wrongly jailed.

The club's legendary former secretary Paddy Hanmer also hit the headlines on several occasions during his reign in the early 1980s. He threatened to ban five-times Open winner Tom Watson and American colleague Ben Crenshaw from the course after they played two holes without permission after a tournament. He also refused to let Jack Nicklaus play on the course after the golfing legend failed to give the club enough advance warning. A similar fate befell US golfer Payne Stewart.