The members of the once all-male Royal and Ancient Golf Club in St. Andres, Scotland voted on Thursday that women should be allowed to be members of the 260-year-old club.

Peter Dawson, the secretary of the club, announced that out of over 2,400 male members of the establishment, almost 85 percent voted in favor of letting women be part of their exclusive group.

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Dawson said in a statement during the meeting: "This is a very important and positive day in the history of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club. I think it is a very positive message for the game of golf."

Reportedly, the policy will be applied as soon as possible and some women are already signed up for the membership and will be processed immediately to avoid suffering from the long waiting list.

Women all over Scotland heard about the news and the reactions are quite positive.

Catriona Matthew, who won the 2009 Women's British Open, said that she is delighted about the news. She added that she always thought the club should be taking in ladies as their members in order to let people know that the association gives equal rights to both genders.

Some of the potential women candidates who are being eyed for membership in the club are as follows: Carol Semple Thompson, a United States amateur who is in the World Golf Hall of Fame, and Annika Sorenstam, the 10-time major championship winner from Sweden.

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club is an institution that has dubbed itself as the "spiritual home of golf". The decision to let women be part of the association is a breakthrough and is a noted historical event not only for the establishment but for the country.

The male-only association has been under a disparaging light recently as it is deemed by the public as foolish for not letting women be part of their group in this day and age.

The scrutiny began two years ago when the Augusta National Golf Club hosted their Masters, including the acceptance of the first-ever two female members. The two women were identified as Condoleezza Rice, the former United States secretary of State, and Darla Moore who is a businesswoman from South Carolina. 

TagsRoyal and Ancient Golf Club, All-male, accepting female members, Equality, Scotland, st. andres, golf, women in golf, female golfers, female members