Right on Alex

• Lobsterboy 4,729 Posts

  Fri, Jun 28 2013 4:26 PM

  Salmond avoids Open Championship at men-only Muirfield

  Mr Salmond is keen on golf but not on men-only clubs such as Muirfield

  First Minister Alex Salmond has said he will not attend the Open Championship at Muirfield in July.

  Mr Salmond, a keen golf fan, is opposed to the men-only membership rules of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers at Muirfield.

  Mr Salmond told BBC Scotland: "I just think it's indefensible in the 21st century not to have a golf club that's open to all.

  "If Muirfield had the Honourable Company of Women Golfers as well and had a women's company who played the course... some clubs do that and that's pretty acceptable.

  "But to have the message that women are not welcome as members, can't be members, can't have playing rights over the course on the same basis as men, seems to send out entirely the wrong message about the future of golf."

  A letter sent to the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers is understood to have outlined issues the Scottish government has with gender exclusive clubs, invited them to revisit their position and wished them well for the tournament.

• patriciawilliams 3,273 Posts

  Fri, Jun 28 2013 5:30 PM

  Lobsterboy:

  the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers at Muirfield.

  A shame there is still small minded individuals/ corporations still standing in the 21st Century!

   

• Wheels65 744 Posts

  Fri, Jun 28 2013 5:49 PM

  What a crock!

  As if he doesn't belong to several EXCLUSIVE (not open to all) men's clubs in London!

  Now - someone please - pull the other one ...

• MBaggese 15,378 Posts

  Fri, Jun 28 2013 5:52 PM

  Ya know...mixed feelings...

   

  But here in the US...I can't join the YWCA and a host of other women only clubs/associations.

   

  I see nothing wrong, as long as it is not a public/gov owned entity.

   

  Say I started a Chevy club on my own...should Fords be allowed into it?

• DaveStrock 919 Posts

  Fri, Jun 28 2013 6:19 PM

  A Private club is just what it states,PRIVATE..................any infringement on a private clubs rules and regulations so long as they're legal goes against the freedoms we all cherish and expect in a free country,if and when the said rules and regulations can or should be changed is up to a majority vote of the clubs members only,not at the whim of anyone who feels offended by them or the "PRIVATE" club in general............

• mkg335 5,491 Posts

  Fri, Jun 28 2013 6:30 PM

  DaveStrock:

  A Private club is just what it states,PRIVATE..................any infringement on a private clubs rules and regulations so long as they're legal goes against the freedoms we all cherish and expect in a free country,if and when the said rules and regulations can or should be changed is up to a majority vote of the clubs members only,not at the whim of anyone who feels offended by them or the "PRIVATE" club in general............

  Dave, what if that private club says "Whites Only"...you wouldn't allow them that freedom, would you?

• Wheels65 744 Posts

  Fri, Jun 28 2013 7:32 PM

  Wait a minute here, either a club is 'private' or it is not. Members of a private club should be able to make their own rules, associate with whom they choose, and be left alone (so long as they aren't doing anything illegal).

  mkg335, you know that there are ethnically and racially based clubs all over this country.  So let's not climb on a high horse and pretend otherwise.

  If I choose to form an 'exclusive private club' and limit members to those who have honorably served our country in the military and EXCLUDE everybody else,  why should somebody presume to have the 'right'  to tell me that I can't?

  Let people associate with whom they choose.

  Let the offended open their own "Offended Only Club". But please, use your common sense and don't try to push your interpretation of 'rightness' on others - I seem to recall that this was one of the principles of a small "Revolution" held here a couple of hundred years ago!

• DaveStrock 919 Posts

  Fri, Jun 28 2013 7:47 PM

  mkg335...{Dave, what if that private club says "Whites Only"...you wouldn't allow them that freedom, would you?}.................mkg......there are many black only organizations and a couple black only colleges,,,,,you really don't want to get me started on this,I could google and come up with a very extensive list for you,pulling the race card is disgusting ,we are all equal in my book the only thing different is how one chooses to apply him or her self,we have a half black president or did you over look that tid bit of information????...just sayin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• Richard4168 4,309 Posts

  Fri, Jun 28 2013 8:03 PM

  Very well stated Mike.

• WildBillbakerhil 80 Posts

  Fri, Jun 28 2013 8:30 PM

  Mr. Salmond has a perfect right not to play at Muirfield if he doesn't want to. I'm sure no one will try to drag him to the course, and I am sure the members at the Muirfield club could give a hoot.