GOLF AND GENDER

DEIRDRE NEILL,

DEIRDRE NEILL,

Madam, - As a female golfer, I have often been tempted to head out to my golf course disguised as a man during the restricted, "men-only" times. I envisage a scene where I am approached by a male member and accused of not being a man. I would love to ask some fuddy-duddy male member to prove it! - Yours etc.,

DEIRDRE NEILL, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.

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Madam, - John Fleetwood Snr (Letters, December 9th) asks if in the event that a member of Portmarnock Golf Club had a sex-change operation, would he/she still be eligible for membership? I'd say that in such an event the member severance rule would apply. - Yours, etc.,

D. QUILLIGAN, Lucan, Co Dublin.

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Madam, - John Fleetwood (December 9th) raises what he may imagine to be a hypothetical question as to the eligibility of a member of a men-only golf club (he specifies Portmarnock) who undergoes a sex-change. This issue was not hypothetical at my own golf club in London in which a male golfer (i) resigned, (ii) changed gender, then (iii) rejoined as a Lady member. In a club without a flourishing ladies section, such an individual would clearly have to make alternative arrangements. But then, this was the point the writer raised. - Yours, etc.,

FRANK LARKIN, Highwood Road, London N19.