Hindus have applauded the appointment of Anthea Winn as the Captain of Royal Ascot Golf Club in Ascot, Berkshire County, United Kingdom (UK); first-ever woman captain of a royal golf club in British history.
It was a step in the right direction, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed stated in Nevada (USA) today.
There are reportedly 34 royal golf clubs in UK—clubs which have received patronage from the royal family.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, noted that women leadership in royal golf clubs was long overdue. He urged other royal golf clubs also to appoint women captains, thus bringing an end to gender discrimination existing for long time.
Quoting scriptures, Rajan Zed explained that ancient Manusmriti said: “Where women are revered, there the gods are pleased; where they are not, no rite will yield any fruit.”
Meanwhile, Zed has also asked Scotland’s Muirfield, The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, to open membership to women also. Men only 269-years old membership policy of Muirfield was highly inappropriate, immoral and archaic, Zed added.
Rajan Zed pointed out that instead of being proud of its traditions, intransigent Muirfield should be ashamed and embarrassed of its exclusionist policy of barring women members. Male-only membership policy of Muirfield needed to go and right now. Clubs like Muirfield, who refused to treat women as equal, should not be in the business in 21st century Scotland and world.
Zed further said that golf's governing body R&A, which organized The Open Championship, golf’s oldest Major, should not stage tournament at Muirfield in the future unless it changed its men-only membership policy; and should strongly address this sexism and promote equality, instead of turning a blind eye to it.
Rajan Zed indicated that The Church of Scotland and its Moderator Right Reverend Lorna Hood should also come out openly advocating treating women with equality and respect they deserved and persuading Muirfield to allow women to become members. Women should not have to face such a struggle to gain acceptance at Muirfield, which seemed to have refused to progress with the society.
Royal Ascot, dating back to 1887, is the oldest golf club in the area. HRH Prince Andrew, The Duke of York, is its Patron. Its famous Members include Barry Lane, Anthony Wall, Michelle Scobling and Guy Woodman. It does not permit Tee Shirts and Jeans “under any circumstances”. David Boyce is the General Manager.
Ascot is an affluent village, famous for being the location of Ascot Racecourse, home of the world famous Royal Ascot race meeting attended by royal family and dating back to 1711. John Lennon and Ringo Starr of rock band The Beatles lived here.