Golf club ban illegal but women face wait to join

WOMEN eager to join a men-only golf club in north Dublin will have to wait a little longer despite a judge’s ruling that the ban breaches equality legislation.

Portmarnock Golf Club is challenging the constitutionality of the Equal Status Act in the High Court and has no plans to admit females members until those proceedings are complete.

In Dublin District Court yesterday, Judge Mary Collins ruled the golf club discriminated against women by not allowing them to become members and therefore fully participate in the running of the club. Judge Collins deferred sanctioning the club until after the High Court rules.

Women can use clubhouse facilities and are allowed to play the course, though only at specified times. They cannot join the club’s committee or become captain.

In a statement issued after yesterday’s court hearing, the club said: “It has always been the club’s position that the High Court, rather than the district court, is the appropriate forum to determine the issues arising in this case. The club will await the decision of the High Court before commenting further.”

Portmarnock will argue its members have a constitutional right of freedom of association.

The Equality Authority took the case. Niall Crowley, chief executive, said he was very satisfied with the judgment and added that Judge Collins accepted his organisation’s interpretation of the Equal Status Act.

“It’s important for women golfers and for women in a wider sense,” said Mr Crowley. This was not about denying the right of men to congregate without women, he said, but doing so where there was a licence to sell alcohol. Mr Crowley said golf clubs were significant social institutions that offered members economic benefits, status and the opportunity to network.

The golf club faces losing its licence to sell alcohol for up to 30 days but could be denied one indefinitely if they refuse to admit women as full members.

The Equality Authority, whose counsel argued that the sanction of 30 days should be levied against the club immediately, brought the case last November, claiming the men-only policy was discriminatory under the Equal Status Act.

The club maintained that as a private organisation it was entitled to decide who is able to join. The club also argued the Act did not prohibit a membership policy that excluded certain members of society but referred to discrimination against those already in an organisation or club.