Members of a prestigious Ayrshire golf club paid tribute to a stalwart who has retired after nearly four decades of service.
Turnberry Golf Club’s honorary secretary/treasurer, Tom Paterson, has put down his pen and pencil at the club for the final time.
Retired school teacher Tom has called it quits after an astonishing 32 years in the role, but, in total, he has served Turnberry Golf Club for almost 40 years.
Initially Tom was a committee member, then he took the role of assistant secretary — before stepping up to the honorary secretary position in 1989 under then captain Stewart Jardine.
A club spokesperson said: “It was fitting that Stewart, who was there at the start of Tom’s career, would say a few words and make a formal presentation to mark Tom’s retirement.
“Throughout almost 40 years Tom has shown exemplary commitment and dedication to Turnberry Golf Club.”
Tom paid tribute to his wife Rena, who he described as the ‘secretary to the secretary’ for answering literally thousands of calls over the years, always happy to help on matters relating to subscriptions and applications for membership.
Tom, from Girvan, joked that she struggled somewhat with requests to book tee times!
Past captains and committee members came together in a socially distanced gathering to wish Tom a long, peaceful and happy retirement.
Ricky Hall, director of golf at Trump Turnberry, also marked the occasion, saying Tom had been an excellent ambassador for the club over many years and had a great relationship with the hotel.
The spokesperson continued: “During Tom’s tenure he served 18 captains, numerous committee members and inducted countless hundreds of new members into Turnberry Golf Club.
“Tom’s encyclopaedic knowledge of everything Turnberry and golf will be very sadly missed by all those fortunate to hold the position of captain of Turnberry Golf Club in the future. Happy retirement Tom!”
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