A GROUP of lady golfers at the world's oldest course have dramatically quit their club after a row involving an all-male committee.
Musselburgh Old Course Golf Club is left with only four female members after 18 others walked out due to a dispute with the lady club captain over tee times.
The argument is said to have culminated in the women being dragged before the club's mal
e committee, who threatened to "knock them into shape".
The female golfers will now play under the new name of Musselburgh Links Ladies Golf Club, but on the same public course.
Member Kathy Grandison, who helped establish the new club, said the row broke out after club captain Barbara Bentley altered tee-off times during a medal competition, and resulted in the members being dragged in front of the committee.
She said: "Each lady member was sent a letter informing her that she might be called individually to appear in front of this sub-committee.
"The lady captain stated that the management committee was sick of the ladies and was going to knock them into shape."
The only two women who attended the meeting found the experience "intimidating and distressing", Ms Grandison said.
She added: "Most of the ladies section decided that they could not tolerate such unreasonable and dictatorial behaviour by the management committee.
"As a result, the decision was taken to form another club in which we could all play our golf in a more democratic and amenable atmosphere. But we are all saddened. The events of the past few months have been dealt with in such a hostile and intimidating manner that all the camaraderie we previously enjoyed has virtually disappeared."
When the issue became an official dispute, the male committee at the club demanded that all female members attend a hearing. They were threatened with suspensions or the possibility of having their membership revoked if they did not attend.
The only female members now remaining at the original club are Ms Bentley, her playing partner when the times were altered, and two new members who wished not to become caught up in club politics.
The council-owned course is said to be the world's oldest, with golf being played there in 1774.
Club secretary Robin McGregor refused to comment on the row, but he did say: "I've not received any resignation letters yet so it's hard to make a statement until I do.
"All I can say is that the club abides by a constitution that every member adheres to and the committee follows. If members feel they cannot abide by this, obviously that creates a problem."
The full article contains 449 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
