Portmarnock elect first female members

Portmarnock Golf Club broke new ground on Friday when it announced the election of the first female members in the club’s 128-year history.

40 candidates in total were up for election with ten women making up the ballot. Nine women were eventually elected as full voting members while 19 male members were also added.

Portmarnock voted last year to change its constitution and allow women to join the club.

The club said in a statement: “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.”

By admitting female members into the club, Portmarnock is now eligible to host R&A events with a potential AIG Women’s Open Championship on the horizon after officials from the Royal and Ancient visited this year.

Former Irish internationals Mary McKenna, Its Butler and Claire Hourihane were already elected as Honorary Life Members last year and Portmarnock will enter 2023 with 37 female members across all categories.