Golf Ireland welcomed the news that Portmarnock Golf Club will amend its constitution to remove the words ‘who shall be Gentlemen’ after a members vote where 83.4% voted in favour of the proposed change.
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.
CEO of Golf Ireland Mark Kennelly said: “Golf Ireland warmly welcomes the very strong decision of the members of Portmarnock Golf Club to become a gender neutral club. We look forward to the implementation of this historic decision which is very much in alignment with the core values of Golf Ireland.”
The vote is no surprise given Portmarnock’s previous men-only stance meant the club would never be considered to host an Open Championship by the R&A. It should see the world-renowned Dublin links re-emerge as a likely Irish Open venue too though it remains to be seen how many women will actually take up membership given they were banned for so long.
A statement from the club read:
“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 favour 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.
“In welcoming the decision, the Officers and Committee acknowledged and thanked the Membership for their engagement with, their support for, and their constructive contributions throughout the process and look forward to welcoming Women as Members of the Club.”
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