St Andrews votes to admit women

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The Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St. Andrews is no longer just for men.

The R&A became the latest golf club to end years of male-only exclusivity on Thursday when its members voted overwhelmingly in favor of inviting women. The vote was effective immediately.

"I can confirm that The Royal & Ancient Golf of St. Andrews is now a mixed membership club," R&A secretary Peter Dawson said in a statement.

Dawson said more than three-quarters of the club's 2,500 members worldwide voted, with 85 percent in favor. It was the first time in the R&A's 260-year history that members were allowed to vote by proxy at the annual business meeting.

The members also voted to fast-track a "significant" number of women to join in the next few months. The R&A did not say how many women would be invited, though previous reports indicated it could be as many as 15.

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