Muifield members voted against plans to allow women to join the golf club because they were fed up of being told what to do by the media.
In an interview with The Scotsman, John Douglas, a member of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfer's No campaign, said the club wanted to prove a point and the result 'was not so much a vote against the ladies as a vote against the media'.
The former Scotland rugby player also branded criticism of Muirfield by players including Rory McIlroy as 'ridiculous'.
Read more: Muirfield banned from hosting The Open after voting against women members
He told the Scotsman: "We knew what was going to happen with the R&A and The Open, but we feel that we had to prove a point with a strong bunch behind the vote.
"We were quite pleased to win the final vote, but it is sad in a way as some of the ladies who work in the offices and elsewhere in the clubhouse have received horrible phone calls."
Proposals to allow women to join Muirfield were rejected by members last week.
Read more: Muirfield In Pictures - The golf club that does not allow women members
A group campaigning against the plans sent a letter to members outlining the 'risks' of introducing female membership at the club ahead of the vote.
Muirfield's decision to reject the introduction of women members has been labelled 'indefensible' by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Read more: MPs urge Muirfield to reconsider decision to ban women
The club was banned from holding The Open following the result.
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