Portmarnock Golf Club in Dublin is to end its men-only membership policy after 127 years.A majority of members voted to change the policy, which has been in place since the club was founded in 1894.
The vote saw 83.4% in favour of the change and 16.6% voting against.
Up to this point, the club’s Rule 3 stated that: “The club shall consist of members and associate members who shall be gentlemen properly elected and who shall conform with the rules of amateur status.”The words “who shall be gentlemen” will now be removed.
In a statement, the club said that “as a consequence … 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”.
Minister for Sport, Catherine Martin, praised the club for “finally” admitting women and thanked it “for taking this progressive step – your club and community will be all the richer”.