Shock news on North-east Alliance secretary's return from Morocco

Ron Menzies (80) dies

in his sleep

Very sad news today that Ron Menzies, President of the North-east Golf District of the Scottish Golf Union, died in his sleep at his Portlethen home on Tuesday night.
Ron was also secretary of the North-east Golfers' Alliance and organised the recent Scottish Golfers' Alliance championship at Murcar Links and Newburgh.
Last week he helped Colin Farquharson run the inaugural Morocco Golf Festival at Marrakech and flew back to Edinburgh Airport on Sunday night, staying the night in a hotel before driving home on the Monday morning.
Next week's scheduled North-east Golfers' Alliance competition at Cruden Bay has been cancelled as a mark of respect.
Ron, a member of Royal Aberdeen Golf Club and a qualified Rules of Golf Referee, was in his 80th year. In his younger days he was a keen rally driver.
In the years before his retirement he worked in Aberdeen for the Hydro Board. Prior to that he had a long connection with the aviation industry and was based at Prestwick for a number of years.
His funeral service will be held at Aberdeen Crematorium on the morning of Friday, October 29.

Colin Farquharson writes:
Ron was a tower of strength in the administration of the first Morocco Golf Festival. He checked all the Stableford cards and booked them into his computer every day, producing regular print-outs.
He also briefed the competitors each day on the first tee about the Local Rules at each of the four courses we visited in the Marrakech area.
There was no hint that Ron was ill apart from an ongoing problem with his knees which restricted the speed at which he could walk. On our midweek rest day at Marrakech, Ron swam in the hotel's outdoor swimming pool. He ate well in Morocco and I like to think that we enjoyed each other's company.
I certainly relied heavily on his computer and Rules of Golf expertise.
I shall miss him at the weekly North-east Alliance fixtures. He will be a hard man to follow.

TRIBUTE FROM IAN BRATTON
PGA Professional, Newburgh-on-Ythan Golf Club.
I was deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Ron Menzies
I would like to pay tribute to Ron for his love of officiating the game of golf.
My first encounter with Ron was when he was PGA starter at Panmure Golf Club for the Daily Express qualifying in 1993. He knew my father from his time at the Hydro Board and we chatted for a while. He then very professionally sent us on our way "on time".
He carried out all his golfing duties very selflessly always enthusing about good scores and more than a few rulings.
He was always my first point of call when I needed to clear up a rule that I was not sure about. His description of the rule was always linked to one of his past rulings from major events and was very, very thorough.
The last time he was in my Pro Shop, he kind of "told" me that I was the new vice captain of the North East Alliance. I couldn't really say no as he had driven all the way from Portlethen to tell me.
He will be sorely missed on the Wednesday Alliance circuit. I am not sure how I will feel when I play my next alliance without Ron at the helm.
My condolences go out to his family and friends.
Ian Bratton

TRIBUTE FROM SGU PAST PRESIDENT HUGH HUNTER

It was with very great sadness that I read about the death of Ron Menzies. It is a great loss to Scottish golf and the North East in particular. Ron was an exceptional golf administrator and showed a great love for golf and a conscientious approach in carrying out his duties.  I worked alongside Ron in helping deliver Golf Rules courses for the Scottish Golf Union—he showed considerable skill in delivering and explaining the Rules of Golf, not easy when you consider some of the complex situations that can arise.  His communications and decisions always commanded respect, and if there were any doubtful points, they would be soothed away with a carefully explained analysis of the situation. Just contrast this golf refereeing with the current furore in the football world!

In our world of increasingly sloppy speech and English language, Ron’s soft toned deliveries tinged with humour were an example to all of us.

His charismatic presence in the clubhouse and on the course will be greatly missed and it is a great pity that he did not live to see the Walker Cup at Royal Aberdeen due in 2012. It would be a fitting tribute if at least one North East player made the GB and I team.

 HUGH HUNTER

Past President  -  Scottish Golf Union