So right and then so wrong

Here’s a conundrum for you – how can a long-established organisation get things so right one minute and then so wrong the next?

As you will know if you have been following my blog since the early days, last week, I am partial to a walk in the woods, or golf course as it is known in some circles.

I must be the only person who, on a sunny day, can do 18 holes and return to the clubhouse eight hours later paler than when I started.

Not much vitamin D to be had if you spend your time hacking around the canopy of some of this country’s, and indeed other’s, finest foliage.

I mention this simply because of the news that the BBC’s long-standing relationship with the Open Championship is coming to an end, with Sky “winning” the rights to live coverage from 2017 in a deal believed to be worth at least £75m.

Getting it so wrong - the R&A, St. Andrews....

The R&A says this will mean more money can be pumped into the sport at grass roots level.

What I don’t get is the timing of the decision to switch broadcaster when the sport is in so much trouble – some observers say golf lost around 20,000 active players last year.

It’s thought that last year’s Open final round was watched by five million BBC’ers while Sky is reckoned to be able to attract just a fraction of that figure. That doesn’t sound like badly-needed increased exposure to attract entrants at grass-roots level.

Yet the same organisation made a sensible judgement barely six months ago.

Remember September 18: that important vote in Scotland? No, not the independence referendum - the R&A voting to accept female members for the first time in its 260-year history.

...after getting it so right

The 2,400 all-male membership had been urged by the R&A committee to "do what's right for golf" in the postal vote, and they responded by voting "overwhelmingly" to back the change, with 85% of those who bothered to participate voting in favour of women becoming members.

Hopefully some of the longer-established golf clubs will follow their master’s lead and allow players into their clubhouse to spend their money on some après-golf without having to wear collar and tie.

It’s bonkers to think I can pay £60 to watch a football match and get a beer whilst wearing an open-necked shirt and £35 to play a round of golf but have to take a full change of clothes in order to get a beer.

So, there’s still a long way to go.