The “Home of Golf” is about to find out if its doors are open to women.
On the same day Scotland votes on whether to become independent, a historic sporting decision will be made inside arguably the most famous building in golf.
The Royal & Ancient Golf Club in St. Andrews, an all-male bastion since its founding 260 years ago, votes Thursday whether to admit women members. For the first time, the R&A is allowing its 2,500 worldwide members to vote by proxy.
“I think it’s the right thing,” R&A club secretary Peter Dawson said during its spring meeting in May, “and I hope that R&A members do what’s right for golf.”
While a “No” decision is the marginal favorite in the independence referendum, the R&A vote should be more clear-cut at its annual Business Meeting at St. Andrews.