A WOMAN who was refused membership at a prestigious Suffolk golf club has lost a claim that it was racially motivated.Sheila Williams, from Debach, who is of Indian origin, had accused Woodbridge Golf Club of discriminating against her when it considered her application.

A WOMAN who was refused membership at a prestigious Suffolk golf club has lost a claim that it was racially motivated.

Sheila Williams, from Debach, who is of Indian origin, had accused Woodbridge Golf Club of discriminating against her when it considered her application.

But an adjudicator has now decided the club was not consciously motivated by racial prejudice and it was unlikely she had suffered discrimination.

While the club was not beyond criticism in its handling of the case, David Westcott QC said there were “reasons of substance” for rejecting the application.

Mrs Williams said last night she was disappointed at the outcome but “grateful” that the allegations made against her by the club - claiming she was a cheat and made a habit of threatening legal action - were proved to be unfounded.

Woodbridge Golf Club said it would make no comment on the case as part of the adjudication agreement.

Full story, see Wednesday's EADT.