<% ballot="204553" ' Check nothing is broken broken = 0 if ballot = "" then broken = 1 end if set vt = Server.Createobject("mps.Vote") openresult = vt.Open("Vote", "sa", "") ' Created object? if IsObject(vt) = TRUE then ' Opened db? if openresult = True AND broken = 0 then ballotresult = vt.SetBallotName(ballot) ' read the vote votetotal=(vt.GetVoteCount(ballot, "yes")+vt.GetVoteCount(ballot, "no")) if votetotal <> 0 then ' there are votes in the database numberyes = vt.GetVoteCount(ballot, "yes") numberno = vt.GetVoteCount(ballot, "no") percentyes = Int((numberyes/votetotal)*100) percentno = 100 - percentyes ' fix graph so funny graph heights dont appear 'if percentyes = 0 then ' percentyes = 1 'end if 'if percentno = 0 then ' percentno = 1 'end if else ' summut went wrong frig it numberyes = 0 numberno = 0 percentyes = 50 percentno = 50 end if end if end if %> Votes so far:

100% 0%			>		>
			Yes: <% =percentyes %>%		No: <% =percentno %>%

Yes, women should have equal access to golf clubs and men should have an equal obligation to stay home with the kids!
Chris Herzack, Finland

Of course they should have equal rights. How dare Johnny Briggs spout off like that? Women can do anything men can do, and usually do it a lot better. What earthly difference can there be to a golf club whether or not it has women members or not?
E Cooper, UK

Of course, what a ludicrous question. Maybe it's because some men are afraid of being beaten.
Gavin Taylor, UK

Of Course! I can't believe it is an issue!!! There should be equal rights for everyone in sports. Gender should make no difference to whether you are 'allowed' to play a certain sport. Men and women should both get the same sporting (and other)oppurtunities.
Leila, UK

Women have equal rights in Norway. It would be completely unheard of that women could be restricted in playing, in the clubhouse or on the committee at the club. It's unbelievable that the UK is still not in the 20th century.
Margaret A Lind, Norway

I have no objections to women having equal rights at golf clubs. As they can be just as good as men at golf, gender should not hold back women being allowed to enjoy playing a sport they like. However it should be entirely at the discretion of the owner of the golf club to decide who is allowed to join the club and what the rules are. If women are dissatisfied with the present situation at their clubs, then they should have checked the rules before they joined!
W Bell, UK

No...because the women would keep talking too much, distracting the concentration of all the male golfers. It would make the sport a even more expensive hobby.
Sabra B Pande, Nepal

If they pay the full membership to a golf course then of course they should have full rights. If the club is private and for men only, let them be men only, women could have their own club where they can get away from men! I wouldn't want to socialise with those members of the male sex who would deny me my rights, let them wallow in their miserable male-chauvinist pig pen!
H Gibson, Scotland

As a single male I would prefer to join a golf club that gives equal rights to women. Let's leave the guys who only like the company of other guys to themselves and let us real men take care of the ladies.
Roy Matthews, England

I can't believe there's even any question about it, women are entitled to equality everywhere. Its no good hiding behind the game of golf as an excuse for sexism.
Jo Wright, UK

Equal opportunities does not mean that women be allowed into every institution that men want to treat and preserve as a way to seek space from women. Women too in their own way seek such "reclusions" or "retreats" from men.
Today, it has become fashionable, not necessarily a question of equality, for upwardly mobile women and the "suffragette" sorts to score brownie points by attacking any male bonding or male club as anti-women. This is doing more harm than good not just to the growing distrust between men and women but also to the true focus of the feminist movement. No wonder, that youngsters tend to think of competition, not cooperation ... even in gender issue. Certainly not a healthy attitude and society.
Rajat Parakh, India

Well I think women should not be allowed in any club where the club owners for whatever reason wish it to be men only. However I also believe that if women are not permitted to join the club they should not be allowed in the club bar, restaurant. They should not be permitted to serve any customer from the bar, they should not act as waitress, cleaner, and should not be allowed access to any part of the club and its golf course. If it's a men only club, that is what it should be! I have been to these so called men's clubs - how very boring they all were.
John Foster, England

Rather than changing rules for existing clubs, why do women not set up their own women-only clubs?
C.Thorp, England

They certainly should not have equal rights at golf clubs. Some things should remain sacred, golf is one of them. There is no place for women at golf clubs, or very many other places either.
Gideon Stargrave, USA

My golf club has a bar/restaurant area which is open to everyone and a bar which is for men only. When ladies requested entrance to the men's bar, the club offered to build a ladies bar. Their rejection of this solution illustrates a difference in the sexes' objectives - men want some sport and time to themselves, women want more social interaction. This being the case, ladies-only bars or golf clubs are unlikely to work, but the needs of men should not be ignored!
It is petty indeed to encroach on one of the last bastions of decent male society. For heaven's sake leave men some breathing space from the often stifling environment of home and family. Men are frustrated enough with their tame modern-day role as it is, without being denied even a few hours escape. And ladies, we actually don't spend this time talking about you! You are respected for granting the escape and men look forward to seeing you after the game. The knee-jerk reaction that you are being insulted ends up being hurtful to both parties.
Mark McNally, UK

It is necessary to start with the fundamental question: Who owns the golf club? Ultimately it should be their decision whether to admit women or any other group. Unfortunately our public discourse, in the pursuit of some "social equity" has lost sight of this point. What used to be considered private property is now considered public...subject to coercion of the masses. A private golf course is by definition PRIVATE, supported by private capital and run for the benefit of its customers, or members. Any state dictate to admit women is a blatant violation of the members right to free association.
Brandon Caneer, United States

In days gone by, as a member of the Royally Ancient Non-golfers Society it would not bother me if there were women around - but if I was a member of a male-only club it would be because I would not want the distraction of women when discussing business. Hence the justifiable tradition.
These days however women are everywhere, their role extends to business as well as their traditional roles and whatever one may think of that there is no longer any sense in restricting access to golf clubs. But - where does a man go to get away from them?
D. Lewis, UK

At any club, not just a golf club, that allows women to be full members, then it's obvious that they should be given equal rights. On the other hand it is surely quite legitimate for a club to be for men only or for women only or to offer the other gender a modified form of membership. Such gender-centric clubs would seem to be archaic and somewhat unpleasant but it's as well for those kind of people to club together where they feel comfortable. It gets them out of the way of the rest of us too.
Barrie Martindale, Canada

Keep them where they belong, in the bed and in the kitchen.
Anon, USA

When women learn to play like men, or as well as men, then they can have equal rights. Until then, no.
Pietro Messina, USA

If a club is for the purpose of playing golf, everyone, regardless of sex, colour or creed should have equal access. The only criterion should be a person's wish to play golf.
Eunice Golder, Turkey

What year is it again?! Maybe when all of the old men that are keeping women out have all taken up more manicured space in some cemetery things will change for the better.
Wisp, US

This is the latter part of the 20th century, isn't it? Perhaps there should be retro-golf courses, which would be exclusively male, with a Victorian dress code and wooden clubs only rule.
Hoyt Carter, USA

I am a member of a private golf club and we have a 'gentlemen only' games room. It is absolutely ridiculous in this day and age and the sooner we put a stop to it, the better. At the end of the day, all people are equal and should have equal rights to everything.
Steve Butler, England

Most certainly women should enjoy the same rights to membership as men...and vice versa. Let's get all clubs that have gender-specific membership into the new millennium. Sexual discrimination in any organization is unacceptable.
John Atkins, Malaysia

Yes I do support that women have equal rights at golf clubs. As a none-white woman, playing golf is the least of my worries, having accessing to jobs and a fair treatment for a promotion is my beef right now.
It just shows you the level field racial minority women are struggling at... it really offends me that the media would give soooo much attention to a recreational activity and regard it as an equal rights? Give me a break.
Amina Malko, Canada

I am frankly amazed that this should even be in question. I have a friend who is from London who has told me repeatedly that women in England have far more rights than in America. What sort of message is sent by allowing discrimination at golf centers?
Robin Romano, USA

Everyone should have equal rights everywhere, regardless of gender. Organisations which discriminate along racial lines are rightly condemned, but discrimination on the grounds of gender, sexuality or age is equally abhorrent.
'Traditions' are of absolutely no importance; any tradition is basically a way of saying 'it was done this way in the past so it must be correct'. Anyone who believes that is a fool.
David Cantrell, UK

Yes, so long as there are rules which restrict slow play etc, which stand for every golfer, regardless of sex. Steve Machin, England

It is long overdue for golf clubs to at least come into the 19th century!
Irene Poynton, Ireland

I myself was a budding golf star until I injured my shoulder and I have never been so ashamed of my gender and those females who for some reason, don't want equality. It is disgraceful.
James, Australia

And why not? Golf is no longer the game for the rich executives and they should allow all people equal rights in golf clubs. It will improve the game throughout all levels of play with the inclusion of women and others excluded through income or social class. There is no room for exclusion based on sex, race or class in any sport.
Andy Hipkiss, U.K.

I have just started playing golf after much encouragement from the men I work with. They even went and bought me golf clubs and a bag. They are very willing to help me learn and full of patience and enthusiasm. Maybe the men who want women kept out have an insecurity problem and don't want it known that in reality they are not quite as good as they make out.
Wendy Lovatt, USA

I can't believe what I'm reading! As a British citizen living in the States, I feel like I'm reading something out of the Dark Ages. I'm not a particularly good golfer, but as an employee of Titleist, I am immersed in the game. Equality between the sexes, as well as ethnic groups, is something that should be taken for granted in this day and age. Everyone is responsible for their etiquette on the course. If a group of golfers is playing too slowly, they must of course allow a faster group to play through, whatever the sex of the players. And as for not allowing women into Club rooms - this is nothing short of criminal. I am assuming that women are not charged the same Club dues? Here, everyone is treated equally - as they should be.
Pauline Pope, USA

My only comment is that even though the voting says that 90% are against the idea of equal rights for women in golf clubs, the bulk of the detailed reactions seem to favour the motion. Why haven't all those people who are against the motion bothered to detail their reasons?
Anand Mahadevan, India

Women seldom pay the same fees and dues as do men. Only when they so do should they have equal privileges.
Lorne Duncan, Canada

I think women should be allowed equal treatment to men, BUT it also cuts both ways - what about the 'women only' gyms and exercise classes that exist for example?
Adrian, USA

Stop being so stuffy. The age of the good old boys and their exclusive right to best in life is over.
Iris Campbell USA

It would be a welcome and refreshing addition to have ladies involved in all aspects of a private golf club. Good luck to them in their quest for long overdue basic rights and equality.
Nick Hosking, Western Australia

For one, women should have the same rights as men. And two, maybe if the women had a chance to get more practice in, they would get better at the sport and the men wouldn't get so impatient and disrupted so much. It's not fair to discriminate them because they are trying to learn how to play.
Shannon, USA

I believe that although there are some excellent ladies golfers out there, the vast majority are unfortunately very slow and not really capable of hitting the ball far enough to clear the rough most of the time. Perhaps they would still be better suited to looking pretty when the men come in from the clubhouse at lunchtime.
James Cunnell, Bermuda

It makes me incredibly sad that women are still seen as incapable or undeserving of receiving the same respect that their male counterparts demand as a birth right. I am also shocked that women in the UK are not treated fairly in the golfing world. It angered me when a female golfer, a respected player who held a high rank in the golfing world here, lost her ranking when she returned to the UK. The desire to enjoy and better one's self should not be restricted to gender.
M Lindsay, Canada

Times are changing, albeit slowly, in gender equality..and someone should let the antiquated, crusty, outdated old crusties who run Ye Olde Golfe Clubs in on this little fact. We're entering the 21st Century 'gentlemen' and we'll drag you there, driving and a-putting. Fore!
Fiona Miller, Qatar

If I was not on the Internet, I would think that this question came from sometime 60 years ago! Anyone, man or woman, who plays the game courteously and in good time should be able to do so without restriction.
Faye, USA

Women should be equal in all matters - work as well as play!
Maureen Bartholomew England

The membership of any club has the right to conduct the affairs of the club in the manner they see fit (within the law of course). Anyone who joins the club must therefore accept the rules of the club on joining and abide by them. The other option is not to join! There are no laws preventing ladies from setting-up golf clubs and running them in the manner they choose and I feel that it would be an infringement of civil liberties if any club is forced to change its rules as a result of an external force wishing to impose its point of view. Having said all that, I must add that lady members in my experience contribute more to a golf club than many of the male members and I for one would like to see a larger number of women playing golf. The way to change things is not to legislate and enforce but to educate and persuade or just go your own way! The recent changes at the MCC are a good example of this method, the members chose to change the rules of THEIR club.
Nathan, UK

It really makes me laugh. What are the men so scared of? That women, God forbid, might be better than they are? Isn't it so very, very sad. Personally I hate golf and would rather rip my own eyes out with teaspoons than play or watch it but if I wanted to or if any other woman wants to then they have as many rights as any man to do so.
Gausden, UK

"Tradition" is grossly over-rated, and should be considered only when it produces something good or positive. The rules of some golf clubs are antiquated, and those who support such rules in the interests of "tradition" are of the same mind as those who wouldn't have given women the vote. As a male, 4 times a week golfer, I would welcome all those on to my course who replace divots, repair pitch marks, rake bunkers, and play at a reasonable pace. There is no gender difference between the considerate and the inconsiderate; good manners are bred in, and do not carry genetically.
Leo, UK

While I have no objection to clubs being set up with single-sex membership, if a golf club allows either sex to be a member then the same rights should be given to both.
Richard, UK

In this day and age a golf club should no longer be run as gentlemen's club or a bastion of male dominance. Women are well able to play to a high standard of golf, and to participate fully in the running of the club and taking part in the social side of things. Therefore they should be allowed to participate as full and equal members, paying equal membership fees and having equal voting rights etc.
Christine Williams, United Kingdom

Everyone should be given the right to play any sport of their choice and this includes golf. So, why shouldn't women have these equal rights if they want to play golf? Let them!
Siobhan Fitzpatrick, UK

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