R&A Consulting Corporations On All-Male Club Ramifications

The R&A, sister brother club of the all-male Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, is asking corporate partners or potential corporate partners what they think of playing The Open Championship at all-male clubs.

Golfweek's Alistair Tait reports after talking to HSBC's Giles Morgan.

Morgan has told the R&A that his company is uncomfortable being associated with the Open Championship being held at male-only clubs. The R&A stages the Open at nine venues, three of which do not admit women members: Royal St. George’s, Royal Troon and the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers Muirfield.

“The R&A are clear that it's a very uneasy position for the bank,” Morgan said. “When you are showcasing one of the world's greatest tournaments, it would be much more palatable if the events were played where there was not the sense of segregation.

“We would like to see it get solved so we don't keep talking about it.”

Ready for this? On the topic of the Royal and Ancient's policy, HSBC has no problem even though they admit, it's a problem.

“We are only involved in the tournament. We have no connection to the R&A as a club, and nor should we because it’s a private members club. But to the outside world, it looks like the same thing.”