Muirfield Golf Club invites women to become members for 1st time

Muirfield Golf Club in Scotland is formally opening its doors to female members for the first time in the club's 275-year history, according to Golf Channel's Ryan Lavner.

In 2017, the privately owned club voted 80 percent in favor of updating the membership policy to include women after golf's ruling body, the R&A, removed Muirfield from the Open Championship rotation due to its exclusionary policies.

A total of 15 players - 12 women and three men - were invited to join the club after July 1, according to Laver.

"This marks a milestone in the club’s illustrious history, and we look forward to welcoming all of our new members to share in the great values and traditions of our club," said Alistair Campbell, captain of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers. "We are proud of our rich history but equally excited for its future and the part all of our new members will play in the club's cherished traditions."

The club also voted on the issue in 2016, but fell short of the two-thirds in favor requirement.

Muirfield has played host to 16 Open Championships, the last being Phil Mickelson's win in 2013. The next available year to host is 2023, with Royal St. Georges, The Old Course at St. Andrews, and Royal Liverpool hosting the next three after 2019 at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.

Additionally, Jack Nicklaus named his course in the United States that hosts the Memorial Tournament on the PGA Tour after Scotland's Muirfield.