MUIRFIELD will seek to hold a fresh ballot which could overturn the controversial vote not to admit women members.
The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers made the announcement on Monday morning, six weeks after the club’s committee failed to secure the two-thirds support it required for a proposal to admit women members.
READ MORE: Muirfield golf club ban on women members 'damages Scotland' - poll
The decision was attacked by a series of high-profile figures, with Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon saying it was ''indefensible'', Prime Minister David Cameron calling it was ''outdated'' and Rory McIlroy calling on the club to "see sense", while it also led to the club losing the right to host golf's Open Championship.
Now the committee plans to back to the membership at a Special General Meeting to seek permission to hold a fresh postal ballot before the end of the year.
“A substantial majority of our members voted for change and many have voiced their disappointment with the ballot result and with subsequent events,” said club captain Henry Fairweather.
READ MORE: Muirfield golf club ban on women members 'damages Scotland' - poll
“The Club Committee believes that a clear and decisive vote in favour of admitting women as members is required to enable us to begin the task of restoring the reputation of the Club that has been damaged by the earlier ballot outcome”.
The original postal ballot resulted in a vote of 64 per cent in favour of the resolution and 36 per cent against on a turnout of 95 members of members eligible to vote.
After the poll, a survey found that almost three-quarters of Scots believe the golf club's ban on women members is "damaging to Scotland's reputation"
READ MORE: Muirfield golf club ban on women members 'damages Scotland' - poll
The Survation poll was commissioned by campaign group 38 Degrees following the East Lothian club's vote against allowing women members.
Muirfield held the ballot at the end of a two-year consultation on membership, but failed to get the two-thirds majority of its 648 eligible voters required to change the policy.
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