Royal and Ancient holds postal ballot on women membership

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews has announced a postal ballot for its members on a motion to admit women as members. This will be conducted prior to the announcement of the result on 18 September 2014. The postal ballot of the full membership replaces a vote that was scheduled to take place at the Club’s business meeting on that day. The change says the Club will allow all members to take part in the historic vote.

In 2004 The Royal and Ancient Golf Club devolved responsibility for the administration of the Rules of Golf, the running of The Open Championship, other key events, and the development of the game in existing and emerging golfing nations, to the newly formed group of companies known collectively as The R&A. As a separate entity The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews remains a private golf club with a world-wide membership of 2,400.