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GLENEAGLES, Scotland (AFP) –
South African golfer Louis Oosthuizen stands on the Swilcan Bridge as he poses for pictures on July 19, 2010, with the Claret Jug after winning the 139th British Open Golf Championship at St Andrews in Scotland. The Scottish Government has added to the pressure on two of Scotland’s most famous golf clubs to admit women as full members.
The Scottish Government has added to the pressure on two of Scotland’s most famous golf clubs to admit women as full members.
On Monday, Augusta National Golf Club in the US opened its doors for the first time in its 80-year history to two women members – former US Secretary of State Condaleezza Rice and businesswoman Darla Moore.
And following that move Shona Robison, Minister for Commonweath Games and Sport, called on the Royal and Ancient Golf of St. Andrews (R&A) and Muirfield Golf Club, to follow Augusta’s example.
“The First Minister (Alex Salmond) is on record in saying that all clubs should be open to women members but then there is nothing we can do to force them,” said Robison.
“However the direction of travel now is clearly to admit both men and women members and hopefully we will see an end to not allowing women to become members.”
Robison earlier announced that Blairgowrie Golf Club in Scotland will host the 2014 biannual Junior Ryder Cup competition between boys and girls.
The 2014 Junior Ryder Cup will take place from 22nd to 23rd September, 2014 and just a week before the staging of the 2014 Ryder Cup at nearby Gleneagles.
Past members of the Junior Ryder Cup include Ryder Cup stars Spain’s Sergio Garcia, American Hunter Mahan and current World No. 1 Rory McIlroy.
Leading European women to have competed include Sweden’s Suzanne Pettersson and Scotland’s Carly Booth.
