Portmarnock Golf Club has elected its first women members in its 128-year history and as a result the club is now eligible to host R&A tournaments such as The Open Championship should it ever become successful with its bid.
According to the Irish Independent, there were 40 candidates in total for the election, comprising 30 men and 10 women.
“In the end nine women were elected as full voting members this week along with 19 men,” confirms the Irish Independent.
“With former internationals Mary McKenna, Ita Butler and Claire Hourihane elected as Honorary Life Members last year, the nine new additions bring to 37 the number of female members in all categories, including students, girls and overseas.”
The popular Irish links course last year voted to change its constitution and allow women to join.
Portmarnock: 15th – utter perfection pic.twitter.com/AeTDFiCM8V
— Cookie Jar Golf (@cookiejargolf) August 9, 2022
Portmarnock Golf Club said in a club statement in 2021:
“A vote by the Members of Portmarnock Golf Club, that Rule 3 be amended through the removal of the words ‘who shall be Gentlemen’ has been passed. The result is 83.4% in favor and 16.6% against.
“As a consequence of this decision, the Rules and Bye-Laws of the Club will now become gender-neutral, which marks a positive development in the Club’s long and distinguished history.”
Portmarnock Golf Club, located next to Dublin Airport, was voted 62nd in Golf Digest’s best golf course in the world for 2022/23.
They will now have a chance to host R&A events as a result of women being elected as members.
It is understood that officials from the R&A have visited Portmarnock twice this year to discuss the potential for hosting the AIG Women’s Open.
Portmarnock Golf Club will now also have one eye on hosting an Open Championship for the first time, too, but that could be some way off yet.
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