John moved from Hessle Golf Club in the East Riding of Yorkshire to take over the professional shop at Ayr Belleisle in 1971, a facility that he ran with dedication as the popular club professional for a period of 20 years, before retiring in 1991.
John was the epitome of a true, traditional, club professional. Despite being an acomplished player, his own competitive play undoubtedly took second place in his priorities to catering for the needs of the members of local clubs who played out of the municipal courses at Ayr Belleisle, where he offered everything from club purchase, construction, and repair to lessons and other golf related goods and services.
After the passing of former Prestwick St Nicholas professional Willie McDonald in 1987, John was almost certainly the last of the true club makers in Ayrshire, taking time to fashion woods in his small workshop and selling these and bespoke sets of irons from his adjacent shop at Belleisle.
John was also an enthusiastic teacher, with many fine local golfers given a solid grounding in the game through his tutorage. He also mentored many young assistant professionals who assisted him in the shop, several of whom went on to enjoy long careers as professionals in the game, and took the time to pass on his undoubted practical and professional skills both in club making and shop administration.
He was also a regular supporter of local golf events and competition, often donating prizes in support of clubs and organisers of other golf events.
John was a very respected man in golf, both locally and further afield and was undoubtedly one of life's true gentlemen, sociable and always keen to chat about all aspects of the game he loved and made a good career of.
Pre deceased by both his wife and son, John continued to live in the family home in Ayr in retirement and although his sight failed badly in recent years he remained mentally sharp and still took every opportunity to get out and about and keep up to speed on golfing matters, especially at the courses where he spent a long and distinguished career.
John's memory will be held affectionately and long among those who knew him, and the golfing community in Ayrshire is certainly the poorer for his passing.
The Ayrshire Golf Association extend sincere condolences to John's family and friends at this sad time.
John's funeral will be held on Wednesday 16th September at 1.15pm at Masonhill Crematorium, Ayr.
