Alex Hay, who has died, aged 78, was a much respected Scottish PGA professional who rose from Club Professional to Managing Director at Woburn Golf and Country Club and also forged one of the most recognisable commentary partnerships in sport alongside Peter Alliss as part of the BBC golf team.
Hay was born in Edinburgh and educated at Musselburgh Grammar School. He joined Ben Sayers as an apprentice golf club maker and then became assistant to Bill Shankland, with whom Tony Jacklin, the 1969 Open Champion and 1970 US Open champion, started his career, at Potters Bar in Hertfordshire.
Hay, who qualified as a PGA in 1952, enjoyed spells as club professional at East Herts and Dunham Forest before moving to Ashridge Golf Club where he held a similar position for 13 years. In 1977 he joined Woburn Golf and Country Club as head PGA club professional and later became Managing Director.
George O’Grady CBE, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “We were very sad to learn that Alex had passed away. Alex was a true trail-blazer in that he made the move from club professional to Managing Director at Woburn Golf Club which hosted no fewer than 16 times the British Masters on The European Tour International Schedule. We will remember him for his passion, desire and dedication and on behalf of everyone at The European Tour, I offer our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Ann, and their sons, Graham and David.”
Hay was co-presenter with his great friend Peter Alliss of BBC’s coverage of golf, including The Open Championship and The Ryder Cup, between 1978 and 2004. Together they enjoyed a special rapport and brought humour and emotion to the commentary box in addition to a deep knowledge of the game for which they were much respected.
Alliss said: “It is a very sad day. I’ve known Alex some 35 years. I first met him before he was at Dunham Forest and have watched him develop, both as a teacher, as an artist – he was also a very good drawer and painter. I watched him as a professional at Woburn which he made into a really fantastic club.
“I greatly enjoyed working with Alex on television – he had a great sense of humour and we complemented each other well.
“Alex will be sorely missed by the golf community. He had a wonderful life – he said to me ‘Peter I’m 78, I’ve had a wonderful life. I’ve been round the world three or four times without ever having to put my hand in pocket, I’ve met vagabonds and princes, now I’m not going to lose my hair and my good looks.’
“He went out with the greatest dignity. I shall miss him enormously.”
Hay, who was also a Ryder Cup referee and an entertaining after-dinner speaker, wrote several golf instruction books, many concentrating on the techniques of the swing, and he played a key role in the drawings used in the PGA of Great Britain and Ireland’s training manual. He died on July 11 after a short illness and leaves a wife, Ann, and two sons, Graham and David.
Ian Poulter, who is attached to the Woburn Golf and Country Club, commented: “This is a very sad day. Alex Hay was the voice of golf for decades and our thoughts are with his family at this time.”
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