The sponsors of the Scottish Open Golf tournament have announced that the competition will not be staged at any course which operates a men-only policy.
Aberdeen Asset Management Chief Executive, Martin Gilbert, whose firm is contracted to sponsor the tournament until 2017 has said the company does not agree with discrimination against women.
The news was welcomed by First Minister Alex Salmond who, speaking from St Andrews after playing in a pro-am tournament ahead of the Ricoh Women’s British Open, said:
“Aberdeen Asset Management is a major supporter of Scottish golf and clearly has the best interests of the game at heart. I therefore welcome comments from Martin Gilbert that the company’s support of the Scottish Open will not extend to courses that restrict access to women.
“As the Home of Golf, Scotland has a responsibility to promote equality in the game, and that is why the Scottish Government has made clear our preference that all clubs in this country adopt a policy that gives full playing rights to women for our wonderful courses.
“The fantastic links here at St Andrew’s is an excellent example of that access, enjoyed by both men and women equally, as it is a public links and operated by the St Andrews Links Trust. The wonderful Royal Aberdeen course, which will host the Scottish Open next year, also has a ladies club with playing rights, representing equality in terms of access.”