Royal Troon set for July 1 vote on women members

Royal Troon will hold a special general meeting on 1 July to vote on changing the club's constitution to allow women members. Picture: Getty Images

A special general meeting has been called for 1 July to vote on changing the club’s constitution to open its doors to women.

It follows 75 per cent of the current male membership indicating support for the move in a recent survey conducted by the club.

“Following our consultation with members, the committee of Royal Troon Golf Club is moving to convene a Special General Meeting on the 1st July, at which we will propose that the Constitution of the Club is changed to allow women members to join on exactly the same basis as the men.” said club captain Martin Cheyne.

“Recently we spoke about the need for our club to reflect the modern society in which we exist and I am pleased that a large majority of members who responded to our survey agree and support opening the club to women.”

The news will be music to the ears of the R&A on the back of it dropping Muirfield from The Open rota following a move to admit women at the East Lothian being rejected just under a fortnight ago.

It came just after Royal Troon had announced it had written to its 800 members to “understand their views and feelings” on the subject of admitting women.

“Looking ahead to the Open Championship, we want Scotland to be proud of Royal Troon Golf Club and the Ladies’ Golf Club, Troon as we jointly host this most prestigious competition in front of a worldwide audience,” added Cheyne.

“That is why we are moving quickly to a Special General Meeting and to have these matters resolved as swiftly as possible following our consultation. We will make a further statement after that meeting.”

Royal Troon has been undertaking a membership review since last January but it seems as though the process has now been accelerated following the controversial decision at Muirfield by the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers.