Portmarnock elects first female full members
By Alistair Dunsmuir
One of the last men-only golf clubs in Europe has welcomed nine women as new full members and appointed Elaine McBride as its new general manager.
Portmarnock Golf Club, established in 1894 and often rated as one of the top courses in the UK and Ireland, voted last year to remove the words ‘who shall be Gentlemen’ from its constitution, and now has 37 female members.
The other 28 have so far been honorary members such as former internationals Mary McKenna, Ita Butler and Claire Hourihane, or students, girls and overseas members.
Portmarnock Golf Club. Image from Twitter
The club has revealed that in its election for full memberships including voting rights, there were 40 candidates, 10 of whom were women. It found vacancies could be filled for 19 of them – 10 men and nine women.
This comes just a few weeks after the club announced that Elaine McBride, the cover of the June 2019 issue of The Golf Business, will become its new general manager in January 2023. She replaces Andrew Whitelaw, who has moved to Aronimink Golf Club in Philadelphia, which will host the US PGA in 2026.
The club, which is located on a peninsula, is eligible to host R&A events now it has female members.
It was thought to be a contender to host the AIG Women’s Open, but The R&A’s chief executive, Martin Slumbers, recently said this wasn’t a consideration at the moment.
By Alistair Dunsmuir
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Great that clubs are opening up to all,no matter what gender.
Here’s hoping that it’ll spread country wide. Through women only clubs as well as men only.
Sound like they only appointmented a women to attract big competitions, they should be ashamed of themselves! No disrespect Ms McBride, but they have only just allowed ladies to be members, think they should of been taken to court under equal right laws not applauded!
Elaine I trust you will enjoy your new post as you did North Berwick.
Congratulations Elaine and good luck. In this digital age where so many younger people are inseparable from their phones, we need young people both boys and girls, to take up GOLF! The best money I ever spent in my whole life was getting a junior membership for my son at our local club Tain. Not only did he become a very accomplished golfer but he learned to interact with people of different ages and backgrounds. He learned the rules and regs of golf, learned how to win and lose gracefully (!) and most importantly how to engage socially with members and visitors alike. Golf is the most democratic and inclusive sport and long May boys and girls and men and women of all ages, compete against each other, the course and the elements!
Sound like they only appointmented a women to attract big competitions, they should be ashamed of themselves! No disrespect Ms McBride, but they have only just allowed ladies to be members, think they should of been taken to court under equal right laws not applauded!
I think this is great!
#a4golf #maps4golf #golf #golfgps