Gary Player takes

a swing at

Muirfield’s men-only policy: 'I don't see the point'


FROM THE HERALD WEBSITE
Golf legend Gary Player has hit out at one of Scotland's most famous courses for having a men-only policy.
Player, who at 23 became the youngest Open Championship winner when he lifted the Claret Jug at Muirfield in 1959, has criticised the club ahead of his return to the East Lothian course to host a charity tournament.
The South African said: "I don't see the point of excluding any member of society." The 73-year-old revealed his disapproval of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers' single-sex policy.
He said: "One thing travel has taught me is to have respect for other people's point of view but I have to tell you, I do not agree with the policy. Golf would not be the game it is without women.
"Winston Churchill said that change is the price of survival. I agree with that. I just don't see the point of excluding any member of society.
"That policy is their business. It's a decision they've made and they've got to live with it. I have designed many golf courses all over the world and I wouldn't like to think any of them would exclude women."
Muirfield is set to host the Open for the 16th time in 2013 and the event could draw more attention to the club's single-sex rule.
Club secretary Alastair Brown said: "I'm interested in Gary's comments. His views haven't stopped him from returning to the club."
First Minister Alex Salmond, a keen golfer, has urged Muirfield and other clubs to change their ways.
Of the possibility of the women's British Open taking place at Muirfield, he said: "It might encourage them to change their views


+Reproduced by kind permission of the Sports Editor of the Herald Newspaper.