Britain's PRINCESS ANNE, golfer LAURA DAVIES and 10-time major champion ANNIKA SORENSTAM of Sweden "are among seven women chosen to take up honorary membership of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club," according to Bernie McGuire of REUTERS. The R&A voted "overwhelmingly last year to allow women members for the first time in its history." American RENEE POWELL, the first woman to be a head professional at a U.K. golf course, amateur BELLE ROBERTSON of Scotland, French former golfer LALLY SEGARD and Britain’s LOUISE SUGGS, "who was co-founder and President of the LPGA, are the other new honorary members." R&A CEO PETER DAWSON said in a statement, "The reaction I have received from some of the
seven ladies is that they are absolutely thrilled to be asked and very
quick to say 'yes' as no one turned down the invitation" (REUTERS, 2/10). In Edinburgh, Martin Demptster reported Princess Anne follows three other members of the Royal family -- the DUKE OF EDINBURGH, the DUKE OF YORK and DUKE OF KENT -- in becoming an "honorary R&A member." Her inclusion in the "initial batch of women to be welcomed into the historic club may come as a surprise to some, given that she once described golf in an uncomplimentary manner." She said, "Golf seems to me to be an arduous way to go for a walk. I'd prefer to take the dogs out" (SCOTSMAN, 2/10).
