MEMBERS of Royal Troon Golf Club have voted to overturn a ban on female members, as the historic course prepares to host the Open Championship.

In a statement, the club said its members has "voted overwhelmingly" to admit women.

It comes after golf governing body, the R&A, removed Muirfield Golf Club in Edinburgh from the list of approved Open venues after its members voted in May against accepting female members.

The club is now planning to hold a second ballot on the issue.

Glasgow Times:

Dr Martin Cheyne, captain of the Royal Troon Golf Club (PA)

Speaking following the vote last night, Dr. Martin Cheyne, Captain of Royal Troon Golf Club, said: “We have said a number of times recently that it is important for golf clubs to reflect the society in which we exist and the modern world that looks to us.

"Therefore, I am delighted with the decision taken by Members of Royal Troon this evening and look forward to welcoming women to our great Club.

"It is the right decision for the Club today, and for the generations of golfers that will follow.

"[Now], we turn our attention to jointly hosting the 145th Open Championship with our great friends at The Ladies Golf Club, Troon.

"We can now all be focused on golf and showcasing this wonderful club and golf course to the huge global audience that this most prestigious Championship commands.

"I am grateful for the support of many people, including Scottish Golf – the game’s governing body in Scotland - for its unswerving support and to my Vice-Captain and fellow members of the Committee.

"I pay special thanks to the Members who turned out tonight for an important discussion and the right decision for Royal Troon Golf Club.”

First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon responded to the news on her Twitter account: "A victory for equality and common sense! Well done, Royal Troon. Hopefully Muirfield will follow suit."

Three time Open winner, Gary Player also congratulated the club via social media.

A spokesman for The R&A said: “We welcome this decision by the membership at Royal Troon and recognise its significance for the club.

“Our focus today is very much on The 145th Open in just under two weeks’ time but we can now look forward to many more great Championships at Royal Troon in years to come.”

Troon will host the Open Championship from July 14-17.

The decision by members of the South Ayrshire club means that the Open no longer has any all-male host venues, as a result of Muirfield's expulsion.

Glasgow Times:

A review of membership policy was announced by Troon in January 2015 and was initially not due to be resolved until later this year.

However, the club has brought forward its vote so that it would take place before this year's Open.

A previous survey of its members by the club found that around three quarters were in favour of admitting women, although no breakdown has been given for last night's vote.

Royal St George's in Kent voted last year to admit women members and prior to that The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews also opted to end its 260-year-old male-only membership policy in September 2014.

Troon has previously considered itself a special case as it shares facilities with the Ladies Golf Club, Troon.

Glasgow Times:

Nuirfield, meanwhile, plans to hold another vote on female membership just weeks after members rejected the proposal.

The decision taken in May was greeted with anger in and out of the game and the course was stripped of the right to host the Open.

The East Lothian club held a 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 policy.