GOLF: The British Open, which starts at Muirfield on Thursday, is at the centre of a bitter row over sexism in golf.

Muirfield, one of the world's most exclusive golf clubs, does not allow women to join, and top British politicians have attacked the Royal and Ancient for allowing the club to host the championship.

British Sports Minister Richard Caborn claimed that holding the Open at Muirfield harmed the image of British golf. He added that such policies did nothing to help encourage youthful talent.

Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt joined the fray. "While there is nothing to stop private clubs from operating in this manner it is very disappointing that some clubs choose to discriminate against women," she said.

But the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, which runs Muirfield, firmly defended its no-women policy.

"People will always question why women are not members of one club, just as men are not members of another. There are private clubs all over the country who have policies on membership just as we do. If a number of like-minded people want to belong to a club then why shouldn't they?

"There are private clubs covering everything from underwater basketball to tiddlywinks," said club secretary Group Captain John Prideaux.

The R&A, golf's world ruling body outside the United States, said they had no problem with Muirfield's membership policy.

Asked if he was happy with this year's host to the Open, R&A secretary Peter Dawson replied: "Absolutely." "Social engineering is not part of our role," he added. "We're here to conduct the Open on the best links courses available to us."

The Royal and Ancient's view is there is room in golf for different kinds of clubs and where clubs have a mixed memberships equal rights should apply. "But we do believe in rights of assembly and feel there's a place for all-male clubs and all-women clubs."

Andy Salmon, the chief executive officer of the Ladies Golfing Union said it a pity that clubs such as Muirfield were closed to women.

Muirfield is one of the hardest golf clubs in the world to join. The average waiting time for membership is around 30 years and stories of a host of fearsome club secretaries who have run the club are legendary.

One famous story is of a woman who tried to enter the front door and was stopped dead in her tracks by a roar to stop from the club secretary. "Oh sorry," said the woman. "Should I not be in the clubhouse with the spikes on?" she inquired.

"Madame," said the secretary. "Your spikes can come in - but you cannot."