Vocabulary:
- long-standing – having existed or continued for a long time
This country has a long-standing tradition of coming together on September 1 to celebrate unity and peace. - reigning – currently holding a particular title in sports
Magnus Carlsen is the reigning word chess champion.
The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers in Muirfield was formed in 1744. It is one of the oldest clubs in the world and one of the last to host major golf championships while still holding on to its discriminatory practice of male-only membership. Last May 2016, the organizers of the British open decided to stop using Muirfield as a site for the competition following Muirfield’s decision to not allow female members in the club.
This year, more than 80 percent of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers chose the British Open over its long-standing tradition of male-only membership. The reigning Masters champion, Danny Willett, was pleased with the decision. Muirfield’s waiting list for membership stretches at least two years. After the vote was announced last March 14, 2017, the first Open that Muirfield could host is in 2022. By then, Muirfield will have gained a significant number of female members.
True or False:
- Muirfield was established in 1734.
- Muirfield managed to keep its discriminatory membership policy until the beginning of March 2017.
- The current masters champion is Danny Willett.
- Muirfield sacrificed its membership policy to be able to host a British Open.
- It is very easy to become a member of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers.
Express your opinion:
- Do you think golf is a rich person’s game or is it open to everyone? Discuss.
- What sporting events do you think are better played by women? by men?
- Do you think men have more opportunities than women in professional sports? Discuss.
- What is the most important lesson a person can learn from playing sports?
- How can playing sports help build someone’s character?
Defend your argument:
- “Golf is a game of coordination, rhythm and grace; women have these to a high degree.”
- “If you watch a game, it’s fun. If you play it, it’s recreation. If you work at it, it’s golf.” -Bob Hope
- “Sports do not build character. They reveal it.” -Heywood Broun