Catriona Matthew believes Muirfield stance is damaging Scottish golf
Tuesday 24 May 2016 13:49, UK
Catriona Matthew and Henni Zuel believe Muirfield is living in the dark ages and have urged the club's members to join them in the 21st Century where women play golf.
Muirfield has been removed from The Open rotation list by the R&A after its members voted against allowing female golfers into the club.
The vote has been hugely controversial and has sparked a backlash from male golfers, including Rory McIlroy, as well as golf's governing body and Matthew says the decision paints a "poor image" of Scottish golf.
Matthew, who was inducted into the Scottish Golf Hall of Fame earlier this year, admits she is worried Muirfield's decision could do lasting damage to golf in Scotland.
"It's just not good for golf in Scotland, it sets a poor image of Scottish golf," she told Sky Sports News HQ's Sportswomen programme.
"Obviously Muirfield are a very small section of Scottish golf, but with all the coverage this is getting all around the world it's just not good for golf in Scotland.
"In this day and age of 2016, it's bad for equality and it's a shame that we won't be having The Open here now."
A two-thirds majority was needed from the Muirfield members to carry the motion, but with 397 voting in favour of allowing women and 219 against their introduction, the rule change fell short by 14 votes.
The R&A responded to Muirfield's decision, saying it would not allow the tournament to be held at a venue that does not admit female members.
Former Ladies European Tour player and Sky Sports' expert Zuel thinks the vote is a poor business decision by the club and insisted the club must change its ways if it is to compete in the modern market.
"It's the 21st Century, we can't be thinking those kind of things any more, we're not stuck in the dark ages," she said.
"It has to evolve and the game of golf has to evolve if it is to survive in a modern-day economy, where women are board members and CEOs of companies.
"It will take a very special lady golfer to be able to do all the things that are expected of them in the template which is suggested and the ladies' membership as a whole may not meet this standard."
"We're not Emily Pankhurst any more and I think we need to recognise that, and it's fantastic that the governing body of golf recognises that."
The club's board had recommended that women should be admitted, but there was a vocal in-house opposition to the changes with the "no" campaigners circulating letters opposing the introduction of women.
Sportswomen approached several Muirfield members for comment, with many declining to talk, but found two yes-voters who gave a glimpse into the club's mindset.
One member said he was disappointed with the decision and admitted the R&A was "quite right" to take action against the club.
"I voted in favour of women coming in," he said. "Why? Because I think we live in the 21st Century and I also want to keep The Open."
John Trainer, a Muirfield golfer, also voted yes for the introduction of women, but insisted the club's ethos must be protected.
"I voted in favour of lady members, not because I wanted a lot of lady members here, but I think that I felt like I was King Canute pushing the waves back and it's bound to come," he said.
"It's a men's lunch club and there's nothing wrong with having a few lady members. I think if you had 50/50 members then it would change the whole ethos of the club."
