Muirfield Golf Club Votes to Admit Women for the 1st Time in Its History

Muirfield Golf Club will admit women as members for the first time in its 273-year history after deciding to overturn its men-only policy following a vote.

The BBC provided quotes from club captain Henry Fairweather, who announced the change on Tuesday after 80.2 percent of members at the privately owned club voted to approve the shift in membership stance.

"This is a significant decision for a club which was founded in 1744 and retains many of the values and aspirations of its founding members," Fairweather said. "We look forward to welcoming women as members who will enjoy, and benefit from, the great traditions and friendly spirit of this remarkable club."

The decision came after the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, golf's ruling body known as the R&A, removed Muirfield as a host venue for The Open Championship because of its previous stance on female members.

The vote required a two-third majority in order to make the alteration to its membership, although BBC News' Natalie Pirks highlighted there were still some with questionable priorities:

A total of 621 eligible members voted overall, with 498 in favour of accepting women as members and 123 against the change.

According to the BBC, the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, which owns the club, urged members of Muirfield to vote in favour of the change.

Up until Tuesday, women were only permitted to play the links course either as guests or visitors, but the newly announced decision will give many hope in regard to reaching a state of equality in sport and wider society.

Scottish First Minister and Leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon hailed Tuesday's policy overhaul as a step forward both for women and the club itself:

Per the BBC, the R&A has confirmed Muirfield will now be eligible as a venue for The Open, meaning the competition may one day return to East Lothian.