St Andrews, Scotland: The membership of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews has voted overwhelmingly in favour of welcoming women members.
More than three quarters of the club’s global membership took part in the ballot, with a decisive 85% voting for women to become members.
Peter Dawson, Secretary of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club, said:“This vote has immediate effect and I can confirm that The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews is now a mixed membership club.
“The membership has also acted to fast-track a significant initial number of women to become members in the coming months.
“This is a very important and positive day in the history of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club.
“The R&A has served the sport of golf well for 260 years and I am confident that the club will continue to do so in future with the support of all its members, both women and men.”
Reaction across the golfing world was positive.
Annika Sorenstam, the former world number one female player, said: “I am thrilled the R&A has voted overwhelmingly to allow female members. This is a great day for golf and a historic one for women in golf.”
South African great Gary Player said: “Delighted that R&A voted to include female members. Absolutely the right decision and good for the game of golf.”