Monday 6 September 2010

When is a Kilt Not A Kilt?



Answer - When it's shorts.

A visiting American golfer was banned from playing Royal Troon in Ayrshire because he was wearing a kilt. Dr Jeffrey Foster, who is of Scots descent, played rounds at seven other championship courses, including Muirfield, Turnberry and St Andrews, without any problem with his attire, yet when he arrived at Royal Troon, he was told he would have to change into trousers to tee off.

Dr Foster said: "As a 13th-generation Scots-American I own 14 traditional kilts and often play golf here and in the US kilted. I intended playing every round in Scotland kilted, in honour of my heritage and homeland. I showed up properly kilted and was denied permission to play at a pre-arranged and pre-paid tee-time because there is a rule against men playing in shorts. The official record at Royal Troon equated my kilt to shorts." The American reluctantly dashed back to his hotel to change into trousers.

The club's information for visitors on its website states only that 'denim jeans, shorts, tee-shirts and training/sports shoes are not permitted in the clubhouse or on the courses'. Royal Troon needs to revise its website because it wasn't long ago I was at a function in that clubhouse and most of the male guests were kilted and none was asked to leave or change into trousers. I'll be delighted to furnish them with the date if they so wish and I'm sure I can dig out a few photographs for free.


7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Scotland and you can't wear the kilt?

What planet are those guys on?

People need to stop making such a fuss about what other people wear for heaven's sake. Unless it is ridiculously provocative or indecent why would it matter?

And it’s nearly always men in this country. Men have to have a tie; men have to be wearing trousers not jeans; men have to be wearing proper shoes, not trainers. And now men can’t wear the kilt!

They’d not start that nonsense with a woman.

I remember that during my short stay working for Jobcentre Plus, I was told, by a female supervisor who looked like she was kitted out for a afternoon’s floor washing, that I must always wear my tie done up to the neck tightly (which I hate).

I took the matter to the area manager who told me that she was quite right. I pointed out that I was wearing a white shirt and a dark blue suit and a tie and uncomfortable formal shoes, whilst she was attired in a pair of tights and a t shirt, and sandals..........and she had the nerve to tell me about presentation. He replied that it was difficult for a man to deal with women when it came to clothes, because they tended to accuse them of treating them like they should be in twin sets and tweed skirts or some such rubbish.

Jobcentre Minus, I’d say. I didn’t last long in that job!!

Oh dear.... another rant.... ooooops....

subrosa said...

Interesting rant though Tris.

Was talking to a good golfer today who plays tournaments all round Scotland. He's playing in this area this week. He travels light and, once he's finished his game, takes off his golf shoes and goes into the clubhouse in his stocking feet. He was actually asked to leave this afternoon as the requirement was that men wore shoes in the clubhouse. Women could wear sandals though, even toe-post sandals.

So I understand what you mean.

Anonymous said...

Aye it's a funny old world ain't it SR.

OK I'll grant you that women's feet are, in general, more agreeable, or less disagreeable than men's, but a drink in the golf clubhouse isn't a beauty contest.

If it were I'm gessing the bar wouldn't make much money.

Anonymous said...

PS... I forgot to say, that I bottled challenging it, and looked for another job.

But sometime later a similar situation occurred in an English Jobcentre. This time the guy, a more feisty sort than little old me refused to back down, was suspended, then sacked and took his case to a tribunal.

That is why male Jobcentre staff can now wear tieless shirts, just like female staff!!

Unknown said...

If you hadn't linked to the source SR I'd have swore you'd made it up...well, you couldn't, couldn't you?

As tris said, what planet eh.

subrosa said...

Ah Tris, so you started the sloppy dress code for Job Centre staff? ;)

I entirely agree that men and women should be treated equally. Mind you, my grandad had a barber's shop in Dundee and used to set off for work in a three piece suit, stiff collar and tie 6 days a week. But that was 60 years ago. We've moved on.

subrosa said...

Nope I couldn't BigYin. My imagination isn't that good. :)

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