In Memorium
As we look back over 2014 we remember friends and golfing colleagues who are no longer with us. Legendary Ayrshire golf coach Bob Torrance passed away on Friday 18th July at the age of 82. Formerly the professional at Largs Routenburn Golf Club, Torrance went on to become a highly respected coach whose pupils included his own son Sam Torrance as well as Padraig Harrington, whom he coached to his two Open Championship wins, and many other top players. In 2009, the newly refurbished golf facility at the Sco6sh na4onal Sports Centre at Inverclyde in Largs, Torrance's home town, was named in his honour. Bob Torrance
Ayrshire golfers and officials were saddened to hear of the death of Ayrshire Golf Associa4on Execu4ve member Cliff Francis on 29th October 2014, at the age of 70.
A re4red Chief Inspector with Strathclyde Police, Cliff was an AGA Execu4ve member since 2009 and was very well known throughout the county with his invaluable contribu4on to both the boys team and our area championships, as well as through his years of work on behalf of his home club Troon Welbeck, as a Past Captain and Club Secretary. Diagnosed with cancer in late 2013, Cliff approached his illness over the last year or so with courage and determina4on, and will be sadly missed by friends and colleagues, but will be remembered for his wit and friendship by many in the Ayrshire golf community and beyond.
Cliff Francis
Less than a month a3er the death of Cliff Francis, the Ayrshire golfing community lost another valued member with the sudden passing of Irvine Ravenspark Golf Club Captain Frank Hannan, on Sunday 23rd November. Frank was well known both within his own club as well as the wider golfing community in Ayrshire, and will be sadly missed. Frank Hannan
Just two days into 2015, Ayrshire golf was rocked by the news that the Champion Of Champions 4tle holder Gary Bryden had passed away at the all to young age of 44. Gary won the Champion Of Champions 4tle for the first 4me just five months before at Royal Troon and his passing stunned his friends and many golfing associates both in Ayrshire and beyond. A na4ve of Girvan, Gary spent his working life as a greenkeeper at Turnberry, and represented Turnberry, Girvan and Troon Welbeck over the years in many compe44ons, enjoying success in many local events.
Gary Bryden
As well as winning the Champion Of Champions 4tle in 2014, Gary was also Ayrshire Strokeplay Champion back in 2001 and was in the Girvan team who won the Ayrshire Club Championship 4tle in 2012 as well as leading the club to three successive league 4tles in the Ayrshire Scratch leagues from 2011 to 2013, in their climb from Division 5 to Division 2. A great team player and one of the true gentlemen of Ayrshire golf, Gary was a regular in the Ayrshire team for many years and his presence in the team room will be sorely missed by team mates and officials alike.
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