Portmarnock Golf Club close to landmark move on gender issue

The par-three 15th at Portmarnock Golf Club

Portmarnock Golf Club will take a giant step towards changing its rules and admitting women as members at a Special General Meeting set for March 31.

The Zoom meeting is designed to lay the groundwork that would allow members of the men-only north Dublin club to remove the gender clause from its rules.

Founded in 1894, the club is under pressure to follow in the footsteps of leading clubs such as the Royal and Ancient, the Honorable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (Muirfield), Royal Troon and this year's Open Championship venue Royal St George's and admit women as members.

The club cannot host events back by public money such as the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open or R&A events such as the Walker Cup, the Amateur Championship or even The Open itself while it remains a men-only club.

The Special General Meeting will first vote to temporarily make an amendment to club rules to allow an online or postal ballot and then decide what majority will be required — "50%+1, 55%, 60% or 66.7%" — to pass a motion on the gender issue.

Once that has been done, the club will set a date to vote on amending Rule 3 of the Rules of Portmarnock Golf Club, which states 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." 

According to a circular issued to members recently, "following the completion of the review of these Resolutions, Members are invited to discuss the proposed amendment of Rule 3 is as follows:

'That Rule 3 be amended by the removal of the four words 'who shall be Gentlemen' and that the Committee be empowered to make the necessary changes to other Rules to make them gender neutral."

It's understood that following extensive groundwork with the members in terms of what the introduction of women would mean for the day to day running of the club, there is an appetite to vote in favour of removing the gender requirement.

The members are also keen to see the club again become available for consideration as a venue for top-class competition following the founding of Golf Ireland — the new single governing body for men and women — this year.

The club was only permitted to host the Amateur Championship in 2019 because it was awarded several years before the R&A introduced its ban on men-only clubs hosting its events.

Portmarnock won a High Court case in 2005, which ruled it was not a "discriminating" club under the terms of the Equal Status Act 2000 because it falls within an exception provided for in that Act. 

The club was in danger of losing its drinks licence after a case was taken against it by the Equality Authority.

Justice Kevin O'Higgins ruled that it was not a discriminating club because its principal purpose was to cater for the needs of male golfers - did not undermine those aims but rather recognised the fact there was "nothing inherently undesirable with persons seeking, in a social context, the society of persons of the same gender or the same nationality or the same religion".

Speaking at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in 2017, shortly after Muirfield voted to change its rules, four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy branded Portmarnock's men-only status as "outdated".

"I've always felt that Portmarnock is the perfect venue for an Irish Open with its proximity to Dublin and the airport," McIlroy said. "It's not just the logistical thing, it's one of the best courses in the country as well. 

"But we have to overcome a couple of issues. There's the gender issue. That's quite difficult to overcome, especially with the issue of public money being taken in for the event here in Ireland. 

"It's hard to justify that, not allowing women members. I was very strong in my stance against Muirfield for that reason, and it's the same with Portmarnock. I don't think that is acceptable, it's outdated.

"It would be great to see Portmarnock come back to the Irish Open roster, it's the perfect location, and hopefully, we can go back there."

While the club has made no public comment, it is also understood that there would be huge interest in following in the footsteps of Royal Portrush and joining The Open Championship rota.