Mary Stuart, queen of Scots, is considered the "Mother of Golf." She played golf religiously during her reign in Scotland from 1542 to 1567. She is known to have coined the term for "caddie" by calling them "cadets." She was ridiculed for playing the sport just days after her husband, English Lord Darnley, was strangled. Even the famous Old Course at St. Andrew's was built during her reign.
Her portrait hangs in the St. Andrew's golf museum prominently for all to see, reminding people of her reputation as an advocate for female golfers.
Fast-forward to 2016, and the board at the prestigious Muirfield Golf Club in East Lothian, Scotland, voted to maintain its ban on allowing women to become members. Muirfield has hosted 16 Open Championships, specifically the men's Open.
Mary Stuart, who no doubt was fiery and defied sexism during her time, is probably rolling around in her grave on a bed of golf balls, dismayed by the fact that, almost 500 years later, men still feel threatened by the issue of equality for women.
In response to Muirfield's decision, the R&A, which organizes the Open Championship, quickly released a statement from chief executive Martin Slumbers:
"The R&A has considered today's decision with respect to The Open Championship. The Open is one of the world's great sporting events and going forward we will not stage the Championship at a venue that does not admit women as members."
The Royal & Ancient Golf Club has recently started to position itself as a leader in promoting women's golf. In 2015, it voted to allow women members, first extending an invitation to Laura Davies and Annika Sorenstam. Though the Open Championship will not be held at Trump Turnberry until likely at least 2022 due to contractual obligations, the R&A has not officially taken a public stance on Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump's "controversial remarks about women, among others."
Gender exclusivity in golf is nothing new. Augusta National, perhaps the most famous golf course in the United States, did not admit female members until 2012. This allowance was due to societal pressure for venerable Augusta to recognize women as formidable members in golf society. Burning Tree Golf Club in Bethesda, Maryland, is a male-only golf club that just recently allowed women into the clubhouse to shop for Christmas gifts for their husbands by appointment only.
A letter sent to all members of Muirfield highlighted the reasons why the club could not fathom allowing female members:
"They are likely over time to question our foursomes play, our match system, the uncompromising challenge our fine links present, our lunch arrangements."
"Our special nature -- 'a gentleman's club where golf is played' -- is quite unique with its fraternity built inter alia on foursomes play with a round taking only the same time as lunch and leaving enough time for a further round after lunch (even in mid winter)."
Given the studies that say sexism has no positive societal impact and hurts organizations financially, it is strange that a golf club - in an industry that struggles with player engagement -- would continuously deny half the population the opportunity to become a member of its facilities.
In Scotland alone, golf memberships have fallen 14 percent. Since time and money are issues that cause many people to forgo their golf memberships, it seems that it is bad business to not want to take women's money. With more and more women entering the workforce and taking on leadership positions, holding on to the idea that women will somehow "mess up" old traditions is as archaic as thinking can get.
Yes, Muirfield is within its legal scope to deny membership to whomever they see fit. Importantly, though, that does not make it right. Sexism is no different than racism. The same argument of legality was used when denying African-Americans a place to sit in a restaurant.
The members who voted against women becoming members at Muirfield are sending a message that women are not valued there. While Muirfield released a statement that said women are allowed in the clubhouse and can play as visitors, the club should take note that this is like serving women society's leftovers. Sure, you're allowed to have a bite of this delicious filet mignon, but not until you dig it out of the trash after I'm done with it.
Nicola Sturgeon, the first female leader of the Scottish National Party and current First Minister of Scotland, called Muirfield's decision "simply indefensible."
"We live in a country where women inhabit the offices of First Minister, the leaders of opposition parties, where we have a woman Lord Justice Clerk, one of our most senior judges [Lady Dorrian], a woman law officer [Solicitor General Lesley Thomson], and women lead businesses the length and breadth of this country," she said.
Truth is, she's right. We trust women enough to be leaders in our society, and there is no justification to deny them the right to join a golf club.
This may seem small in nature in consideration to the issues that women face on a daily basis, be it sexual assault, economic inequality or access to basic healthcare. However, if clubs that are notorious for their sexist beliefs begin to see women as an asset rather than a threat, they will be leaders in changing the future for women in a positive and impactful way -- and I promise, it will not cut into their lunch break.