Forum Topic

Civilisation as we know it to end.

Hang on to your hats! The Royal and Ancient announce that women may be allowed to compete in the Open Golf Championship possibly from next year and there is even talk of a woman becoming a Bishop! I don't find either of these things shocking - what the issue ought to be is - why haven't women already done these things? It is 2005 after all.

Vanessa Smith ● 7373d9 Comments

gravitas?... isn't that an Ikea restaurant dish - served with delicate meatballs, I think?

Sarah Felstead ● 7371d

I've no problem with either women being bishops or entering for the Open(tho' don't hold your breath for a woman winner),but I do wish that they were not recruited to give opinions as 'experts'on TV football,or far worse, cricket programmes. Surely ther are plenty of ex-pro's who have served their time in the game and paid their dues who would offer more valuable insights and whose opinions have more gravitas?

Keith Iddon ● 7371d

"Women could purchase the tickets, but weren't allowed to win?"This seems like a very reasonable compromise to me... ;o)

Phil Andrews ● 7372d

Tsk tsk.  You think that times would have changed!  I once bought 6 raffle tickets at a darts match at the Isleworth WMC, and won 3 prizes ... in a row ... which caused a row.Women could purchase the tickets, but weren't allowed to win?  cor!  you should have heard the moaning men!You think that they would have all been very pleased for me!I think the real problem was that instead of despatching the men I was with, up to the bar area to claim the prizes - I toddled up myself, each time.How sexist can you possibly get?;-)

Sarah Felstead ● 7372d

Dear Confused,In my experience women are normally too busy doing other things such as housework, working, washing etc. etc. to be lolling around in clubs over drinks, hence this is not really an issue - anyway why should we mind if someone else has to buy and also pay for our drinks? It's what's known (for once) as having your cake (gin, vodka) and eating it or indeed drinking it.

Vanessa Smith ● 7372d

At the Isleworth Working Men's Club (and presumably other WMCs) women are not, according to the rules, permitted to go to the bar and buy a round.Although this rule is seldom implemented, I would have thought that such a blatantly sexist regulation would nevertheless have been the subject of an organised and vociferous protest by members of the fairer sex, but oddly it isn't.Can anybody explain to me why this should be? Confused of Isleworth.

Phil Andrews ● 7373d

I have absolutley no problem with any of the suggestions. Being an old cynic though, I smell a commercial opportunity with the R&A decision rather than pure philanthropy. I have no doubt they noticed the massive media coverage and interest in Annika Sorenstam taking part in a couple of tournament events across the Atlantic, and the emergence of 15 year old Michelle Wei. With the participation of these 2, and maybe more, there is the potential to increase sponsorship/advertising/tv revenue for the event, which lags behind at least 2 of the other golf 'major' events for income.

John Wood ● 7373d

And I agree whole heartedly too...see my chapioning of the gentler sex on the EalingToday site. :-)

Gerry Tan ● 7373d

VanessaI couldn't agree with you more.

Gareth Evans ● 7373d