Roundup: R&A Reacts Swiftly To Muirfield Vote, Vows No More Opens Until They Confront Their Issues With Women

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I know this is a serious matter for those seeking gender equity, but how can you not laugh at Muirfield's 33 holdouts? In 2016, voting to keep the club from acknowledging the existence of half the world's population?

Imagine what must have happened to these dinosaurs in boarding school or university to still be holding such resentment all these years later?

Imagine how utterly out of touch one must be to think that stopping a successful woman who loves the game from joining your club because you still think--and put in writing!--that women players are automatically slow by account of their gender.

Or dining in that strange ritual of dandruff coated jacket and grease-stained secret society tie for lunch (between rounds of golf).

Or keeping your course from hosting The Open in your lifetime, which, for most of these prehistoric types, isn't much longer.

All you can do is laugh at them, and be a little sad for East Lothian golf, which may not see The Open for a while.

Martin Dempster with all of the details on Muirfield not securing enough votes to retain 21st century status.

The R&A swiftly declared that Muirfield will not again be considered as a venue for The Open after members voted against allowing women to join the East Lothian club.

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A: “The R&A has considered today’s decision with respect to The Open Championship. The Open is one of the world’s great sporting events and going forward we will not stage the Championship at a venue that does not admit women as members.

“Given the schedule for staging The Open, it would be some years before Muirfield would have been considered to host the Championship again. If the policy at the club should change we would reconsider Muirfield as a venue for The Open in future.”

The club’s board had recommended that membership should be offered to women on the same terms as the men.

Of course, this will lead to some fun with Royal Troon this year, which does not admit women into its club. However, and it's a big however: there is a Ladies Golf Club of Royal Troon that has been in existence since 1882 and has a clubhouse overlooking both Troon courses.

Royal Troon, where The Open is being staged this year, is currently undergoing a similar membership review to the one carried out at Muirfield.

The social media reaction has ranged from mocking to praise for the R&A for a swift reaction.

The saddest part of losing Muirfield until the holdouts move on to the Big 18 In The Sky: no more Opens in Scotland's Golf Coast and the best golf region on the planet: East Lothian.

The rota is already well stocked and it certainly wouldn't be hurt by inserting a placeholder like Royal Cinque Ports just to reinforce the message. Architecturally, a case could be made that it's way more interesting than Muirfield, and as Karen Stupples can attest, they have accepted females for some time.

Greenbrier: Freemium Comes To The PGA Tour

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An unbylined AP story reports that Greenbrier owner Jim Justice, who is also running for West Virginia governor (who knew?), has asked the state legislature to pull its $1.75 million funding of the Greenbrier Classic (who knew?) over their inability to pass a budget.

Best of all, he's giving away admission to the tournament this year as as result...

"My dream has always been to change the image of and bring opportunity to our state, and that's why I wanted to bring the PGA Tour to West Virginia," Justice said. "The budget mess we're in now is exactly what's wrong with politics. I am not going to let politicians delay the budget or bash me over the greatest economic/PR opportunity West Virginia has ever seen."

Republicans hold a majority in both the Senate and House of Delegates. Justice said he has endured criticism by GOP leaders and therefore "I am refusing the state's participation" in the golf tournament.

The only bummer: the concerts the event has become known for are off the table. At least for now.

But finally, the freemium model gets tested at a PGA Tour event!

NBC Promising "Most Live Coverage Ever" For The Open

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140 hours of The Open...night owls rejoice!

For Immediate Release:

NBC SPORTS TO DELIVER MOST LIVE COVERAGE EVER FOR A MAJOR AT THE 145TH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP, JULY 14-17

From First Tee Shot to Final Putt, NBC Sports’ Live Coverage Includes Golf Channel’s First-Ever Telecast of a Men’s Major Championship and Return of The Open to Broadcast Television on NBC

ORLANDO, Fla. (May 17, 2016) – With the most live hours of tournament coverage ever dedicated to one of golf’s major championships, The R&A and NBC Sports Group’s long-term media partnership kicks off its inaugural year with a record number of planned programming hours. The 145TH Open will return to U.S. live broadcast coverage through Golf Channel and NBC’s nearly 140 hours of television coverage from Royal Troon Golf Club throughout the week. It also will represent Golf Channel’s first coverage of a men’s major championship.

“The unprecedented coverage of The Open will provide a unique showcase of the world’s best golfers on an iconic links course, navigating the often dramatic weather conditions and ultimately adding to the history that embodies golf’s original championship,” said Mike McCarley, President, Golf, NBC Sports Group. “We’re honored to provide complete coverage of The Open for the first time on Golf Channel and NBC. Fans will be able to see the opening tee shot through the final putt, culminating with the ‘Champion Golfer of the Year’ raising the Claret Jug.”

“We are delighted to be working with NBC Sports Group and are looking forward to their comprehensive coverage of The 145TH Open,” said Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A. “Our fans in the United States will be able to enjoy every shot over the four days of the Championship and will be part of a true celebration of golf at Royal Troon.”

NBC Sports Group Tournament Coverage: 78.5 Total Hours: NBC Sports Group will devote 49.5 live hours of tournament coverage to The 145TH Open from July 14-17, including 14.5 live hours on Golf Channel over each of the first two rounds on Thursday and Friday; 10.5 live hours across Golf Channel and NBC during the third round on Saturday; and 10 live hours across Golf Channel and NBC during the final round on Sunday. In total, NBC Sports Group will provide 78.5 hours, including the live coverage of all four rounds, as well as two highlight specials on NBC from 4-6 p.m. ET on Saturday and Sunday, and encore presentations of each round on Golf Channel. All coverage will be streamed via NBC Sports Live Extra and Golf Live Extra, and additional digital extensions will be announced at a later date.

Golf Channel’s Wraparound News with Golf Central Live From The Open: 59 Total Hours: Golf Channel’s signature news programs, Morning Drive and Golf Central Live From The Open, will provide 31.5 live hours of comprehensive news coverage the week of The Open. Golf Central’s Live From The Open will be onsite throughout the week with 25.5 live hours from Royal Troon, which will be hosting The Open for the ninth time in its history. Morning Drive will kick things off from 11:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. ET before The Open’s first round to lead into live coverage of the opening tee shot. Coverage will be complemented by comprehensive news and highlights via NBC Sports Digital, Golf Channel Digital and social media platforms throughout the week.

Tournament Team: In order to cover this unprecedented coverage of a major championship, Johnny Miller (1976 Open Champion), Nick Faldo (1987, 1990, 1992 Open Champion) and Frank Nobilo will rotate as lead analyst in the 18th tower. In addition, a team of NBC Sports’ analysts will contribute to the nearly 50 hours of coverage, including David Feherty, Peter Jacobson, Gary Koch, Roger Maltbie, Mark Rolfing, Tom Abbott, Notah Begay, Billy Ray Brown, Curt Byrum, and Jerry Foltz. And Dan Hicks, Terry Gannon, Jimmy Roberts, Steve Sands and Todd Lewis will handle announcing and reporting duties.