ACTIVISTS have “banned” members of a men-only golf club from sitting on a public bench.
Muirfield Golf Club caused widespread outrage earlier this year by voting to maintain their ban on women.
In revenge, a plaque has been stuck to a bench in central Edinburgh which tells golfers from the East Lothian club they cannot sit there.
The message on the bench in Princes Street Gardens reads: “The members of Muirfield Golf Club are hereby excluded from sitting on this bench. By the order of the female population of Edinburgh.”
It is understood the message was placed there by activist group, The Brass Monkey Club, who “try and raise issues local and national through the medium of bench plaques”.
The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, which runs Muirfield, lost its right to host The Open Championship after voting to maintain its ban on women members.
The club is now suffering further embarrassment as a photo of the plaque is going viral on social media, having been shared more 1400 times and like by almost 8000 people.
Hundreds of people have commented on the image, which was shared by Edinburgh Spotlight Facebook page, showing their support for the message.
Christina Abbott Brooker said: “Love it. Stupid stuffed shirts at Muirfield. Living in the dark ages. Scared the women might beat them.”
Jacqueline Thompson commented: “I can’t believe they can still get away with saying no woman are allowed in their golf club!”
Bryce Goodall wrote: “As a man golf clubs should be open to all genders and even gender neutral, transgender and non binary people!”
Margo Gurney said: “Brilliant, disgraceful from Muirfield in this day and age!”
However, not everyone supported the sign.
Margaret Reid said: “Funny that there is never any uproar and indignation from women about women only clubs, be it golf, gyms etc etc.”
Alistair Hood wrote: “Conveniently forgetting of course that there are actually substantially more women only golf clubs in Scotland than there are men only.”
David Carroll replied: “One is a private members golf club and the other is in a public park owned by the people. I hope that every member of a women only gym are also excluded from using the bench or is sexism ok in Edinburgh now?”
In the ballot, held in May this year, Muirfield members returned 64% for and 36% against widening the membership.
Royal Troon is the only other Open venue that still excludes women. The club, which will stage this year’s Championship, it is consulting members about altering that arrangement.
An Edinburgh City Council spokeswoman said the plaque would be removed today (Mon).
“It’s not an official plaque,” said the spokeswoman. “It has been glued on to the bench and it will be removed.”
