Portmarnock Golf Course, near Dublin, Ireland
Iconic golf links just northeast of Dublin, one of the oldest and most renowned courses in Ireland, Portmarnock Golf Club has won a court case that prevents women from becoming full members. According to the Associated Press, the Irish Supreme Court voted three to two in favor of the club, saying its policy was exempt of the equality legislation in the country.
"We feel that as a result of this judgment that the equality legislation has to be changed. It is a bad day for equality and it is a bad day for women," said Joanna McMinn of the Equality Rights Alliance, as quoted on www.irishcentral.com.
From the AP article: "One of the dissenting judges said her colleagues gave too little weight to the reality that golf was no more a 'need' for men than for women, therefore any golf club barring a particular sex as members was breaking the law. She said, 'Portmarnock Golf Club is exactly what its name says: a golf club in Portmarnock. It caters for men and women in different ways,' she said, arguing that this was the essence of discrimination.
"An executive member of the Women's Council, Therese Murphy, said golf clubs were venues for power-brokering relationships important to businessmen and women alike. 'A lot more happens in golf clubs than playing golf. It is about networking and camaraderie, she said.
"Irish broadcasters interviewed an unidentified Portmarnock club member . . who said he didn't want women on the course because they would slow down the speed of play." (Hmmm. . . my observation has been that female golfers are faster players than men, as women are careful not to be perceived as holding up play. Guys take more time because they usually bet, drink beer, constantly give each other a hard time, and tell jokes. . . same thing in Ireland, trust me.)
Portmarnock is among the most exclusive links in Ireland, with about 1,300 members and visitors' green fees at euro120--200 ($180 to $300), including lunch.
Read more about playing golf on Irish links.
Founder/editor of BestGolfResortsofTheWorld.com, Karen Misuraca is a travel and golf writer from the California Wine Country. She follows the little white ball around the world and blogs about International Golf Travel at www.examiner.com.
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