Lou we seem to be speaking about different things so I’m still puzzled why you selected my post but I’ll try to reply to your points.
No specific reason other than it was not pertinent to what I was attempting to address. And I was not accusing you of being a hypocrite specifically, only that we all tend to talk out of both sides of our mouth from time to time.
Understood I never thought it was a personal attack. Some of the most consistent folk who avoid even the tang of Hypocrisy are also crashing bores; a certain amount of holding contradictory views makes life interesting. However when the Self appointed governing body acts “inconsistently” then I think it fair game to call them on it.
IMO, the world in general and golf specifically have much, much larger fish to fry than the acceptance of women to an all male golf club or the awarding of an important event under its auspices to a club which has some policies that are contrary to current populist (not necessarily majority) notions of equality. Like so many other things plaguing the confused minds of those yearning to dominate society through the sheer force of a large government, the concept of equality under the law (or in the eyes of God) has been bastardized by these justice warriors well beyond common sense, practicality, or the ability to implement with any hope of success. I have to wonder what percentage of women really give a rat's ass about being precluded from joining Muirfield because of their gender, particularly, if, in fair play, by removing that obstacle, men would then have "the right" to join clubs and participate in activities previously restricted to the fairer sex.
I do feel you are applying your well known belief in the danger of large Government to a governing body that we as golfers (outside the USA) voluntarily decide to abide by. Why can’t you see my point that it’s the perception of Golf as an Old Man’s game that makes it less than appealing to the young and to many other people who would gain real benefit from playing a round a week but have never been exposed to what’s good about the game. I’m not trying to reengineer society just point out that the R&A are needlessly blighting their own Championship with this policy. I have repeatedly said that Muirfield have the right to choose their own members, please acknowledge this and stop turning this into an issue that I’m not addressing.
I do have a daughter and I do want her to have access to every reasonable opportunity that adds value to her life. The universe of these is so vast that somehow missing out on Muirfield, Augusta National or Preston Trails doesn't merit a second thought. It would indeed be a great example of hypocrisy if a club which discriminates based on gender (say the R & A) would preclude Muirfield or Troon for that reason.
Now we are in agreement. It follows from what I have been saying that if the R&A want to represent the game of golf it is absurd that they are a synonymous legal representative of an all male group. They are cagey on this matter saying they are still looking at the relationship between the two organisations.
What ails golf, IMO, has little to do with the ruling bodies' current stances on club policies and governance. Rather than seeking a role in social engineering, they might better spend their time identifying the various causes of why golf is losing steam and coming up with some practical, achievable solutions. Initiatives on the pace of play, water usage, and other sustainability issues are good first steps. Reviewing the possibility of bifurcating the rules relating to balls and implements as well as the conditions of play (e.g. redefining course boundaries) might be another. But if the golf powers want to play in the larger political field which very much affects the future of the game in significant ways, taxation and tort law are but two areas that beg attention.
The issue’s you are discussing mainly affect and concern existing golfers. I am looking out at the folk who do not play golf and never even wonder how long it takes to play. I have no idea who you socialise or do business with, but I would say less than 10% of my regular social set are golfers and for the majority of the other 90%, Golf apparently has a real image problem. The Open featured sterling pace of play and was a model example of water conservation and more sustainable course management. However the China People’s Daily ran an article focussing on the Gender issue as did all the press in GB&I and it all reflected poorly on the image of golf. I repeat , this row was entirely unnecessary and does the game of golf a disservice.
I am greatly enjoying the Open and how Muirfield is playing. If you guys need a European Martha Burke to stir things up, there are no shortage of those. Not like there is not enough on your plate already over there.
Like you I greatly enjoyed what I managed to see of the golf. Well done Phil.
Cheers.