LOSS OF ONE OF ITS CHARACTERS IS A SAD DAY FOR SCOTTISH GOLF

                     Bob and Sam Torrance. Picture by courtesy of Getty Images(c)

BOB TORRANCE DIES: TRIBUTE

 FROM PAUL McGINLEY

The death has been announced of Bob Torrance, father of Ryder Cup-winning captain Sam but a man whose coaching career touched the lives of so many in the game.
Bob, who was 82, helped Padraig Harrington win back-to-back Open titles in 2007 and 2008.

His son Sam, who captained Europe to Ryder Cup success in 2002, tweeted:  "Sad day - my dad just passed away peacefully in his sleep."
Bob Torrance, described by Harrington as "the best swing coach in the world", had been battling cancer.
Iain Carter, BBC Sport's golf correspondent, tweeted: "Saddened to hear of the death of one of golf's great gentlemen and a wonderful teacher, Bob Torrance. Thoughts with June & Sam."

European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley, who was coached by Torrance for over 20 years, said:
 “This is an incredibly sad day as we have lost one of life’s, as well as one of golf’s, really true characters and my thoughts are obviously with June and Sam at this difficult time.

“I feel blessed to have known Bob for many years and to have had him as my coach since 1992. Not only was he a world-class golf coach, a fact recognised right across the game, but he was also one of my very favourite people in life. I will dearly miss his teaching and his wit.

“I feel very fortunate that I got the chance to say goodbye to him in person last week when I drove down to his home at Largs during the Scottish Open at Royal Aberdeen. 

"Despite his obvious ill health, he still retained his fantastic sense of humour and love of golf and the memory of that afternoon will stay with me.”