Thursday 19 May 2016 12:59, UK
The world's oldest golf club, Muirfield, will decide on Thursday whether to admit women into its membership for the first time in its 272-year history.
The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers - founded in 1744 and the first to set down the playing rules of the sport - is urging its members to vote in favour of the resolution, which requires a two-thirds majority to be passed.
A small group of members have been canvassing support against admitting women into the club, whose home is at Muirfield in East Lothian, Scotland.
Club secretary Stuart McEwen said: "An independently scrutinised postal ballot will determine the future membership policy of the club.
"The ballot is open and members are being asked to vote on a single admission resolution on women's membership.
"In an open letter to members, the club board recommends that the membership vote in favour of the admission resolution to admit women as members.
"Changes to club rules require a two-thirds majority vote in favour and all changes the rules have immediate effect.
"We are aware that a small group of members have been canvassing support to vote against admitting women as members at this time. They want more time to consider further options for the future.
"The view of the club board remains the same; that members should vote, in this ballot, in favour of the admission resolution to admit women as members."
The result pf the ballot should be known at around 1145 on Thursday.
