Sky Sports’ Ewen Murray elected honorary life member at Walton Heath
NEWS RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
Ewen
Murray, whose career in golf has spanned almost five decades, initially as a
professional and latterly as the highly respected commentator for Sky Sports,
has been elected an Honorary Life Member of Walton Heath Golf Club in Surrey.
The award
recognises Murray’s outstanding contribution to golf, and Walton Heath in
particular, during a lifetime devoted to the game both on and off the golf
course.
Edinburgh-born
Murray served Walton Heath with considerable distinction for 16 years, firstly
as Assistant Professional then as Tournament Professional before switching
careers in the 1990s by joining Sky Sports’ fledgling golf coverage.
Since
picking up the microphone, 64-year-old Murray’s velvet tones, delivered in that
rich Scottish burr, have been an integral part of Sky’s global golf coverage,
which has included every Ryder Cup since 1995. Most recently, he commentated on
the Sky Sports British Masters, won by Eddie Pepperell, at Walton Heath last
October.
Murray was
elected unanimously at the Club’s AGM last weekend, and Walton Heath Chairman,
Dr Alastair Wells, spoke on behalf of the membership, saying: “Ewen is
incredibly well regarded all over the world as one of the most authoritative
voices in sports commentary. His deep knowledge and love for the game permeates
across the airwaves, and his commentaries are always laced with humour and
warmth.”
He added:
“Most importantly, Ewen is highly regarded by our membership, having spent 16
years here, firstly as an Assistant Professional under the tutelage of Harry
Busson and then as a Tournament Professional playing on the European Tour.
“Since
arriving from Scotland in 1973 to take up his post, Ewen has been a staunch
supporter of our Golf Club. He is a great ambassador for Walton Heath and talks
warmly about his time with the Club. We know Walton Heath remains very close to
his heart and we look forward to welcoming Ewen back as a distinguished
Honorary Life Member.”
Murray
turned professional in 1971, having won the World Junior Championship that year
along with the Scottish Boys match play and stroke play titles. Son of the
highly regarded Baberton professional, Jimmy Murray, he joined Walton Heath as
Assistant Pro on April 22, 1973, becoming Tournament Professional four years
later.
During his
playing career, he won three times – the Northern Open (1977), the Zambia Open
(1980) and the Nigerian Open (1984) – while he finished tied 31st
and tied 36th respectively in The Open Championships at Royal Troon
in 1973 and St Andrews in 1984.
After
losing his playing rights on the European Tour in 1989, Murray turned his
attention to broadcasting, travelling the world as part of the excellent Sky
Golf team, delivering his commentaries on the biggest tournaments on the
planet.
Murray, who
lives in West Chiltington in West Sussex with his wife, Nicky, said: “I spent a
quarter of my life at Walton Heath and the Club still feels very much like
home. I love the place dearly and it is obviously a great honour to be made an
Honorary Life Member. I would like to thank everyone at Walton Heath for
recognising me in this way and I feel very proud and humble.”
He added:
“The two courses speak for themselves, but it is the Members who make a great
Golf Club and in that respect, Walton Heath has no equal. Over the years, I
have enjoyed a wonderful relationship with the membership and it was a very sad
day when I left in 1989, having lost my playing rights on the European Tour.
“I’ve been
very fortunate to work for two great institutions in Walton Heath Golf Club and
Sky Sports. I can’t play much these days due to a bad back, but I look forward
to visiting the Club as often as possible to enjoy being one of the Members
rather than one of the staff this time around!”
Ends
Labels: GOLF NEWS
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