NEWS OBITUARY Walter Woods
The industry mourns the passing of Walter Woods BEM
Walter Woods BEM, 84, was the former links superintendent at St Andrews Links until his retirement in 1996.
He was instrumental in the formation of BIGGA and his efforts to modernise the industry and greenkeeper training have laid down the foundation for the profession as it is today.
Walter was the inaugural chairman of the greenkeeping association and acted as a mentor for many of the industry’s leading figures, including John Philp MBE, who oversaw the return of Carnoustie to the Open rota.
“I learned a great deal from Walter,” said John. “Coming back to Scotland in a multi-course system, he was very much a mentor for me. He had a strong work ethic and a passion for greenkeeping. He was a strong and fair character and was a shining example of golf course management, leadership and professionalism. Greenkeeping has lost one of its greatest ever ambassadors.”
Walter began his career at the nine-hole Tillicoultry Golf Club in his Clackmannanshire home town. He got his first role in greenkeeping after trying a number of jobs, including being a grocer and a collier.
He then worked at Alloa in the dual role of professional and greenkeeper, while his wife Caroline ran the clubhouse.
A successful stint at Notts Golf Club (Hollinwell) followed, of which he was extremely proud, before he moved to St Andrews in 1974.
During his time as superintendent of the famous links, Walter oversaw four Open Championships. So respected was he that Jack Nicklaus would turn up early at St Andrews to play practice rounds with him prior to the tournament.
Walter and Caroline Woods, pictured at BTME in 2018
Speaking to the Scotsmanin 2005, Walter said: “My best memories are Jack Nicklaus holding the trophy or the excellence of Nick Faldo. But most satisfying is the relief when it is finished, without complaints!”
Walter left St Andrews in 1995 after twenty-one years on the links, but continued as a consultant to the European Tour.
Walter’s passing on the eve of the European Tour's flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship, is poignant as it was through the efforts of figures such as Walter and the late Cecil George and Jimmy Neilson that education in greenkeeping progressed to the level that surfaces such as those at Wentworth could be prepared.
Walter also played a leading role in the formation of the BIGGA support team initiatives, which provide members of the association the opportunity to volunteer at The Open and the BMW PGA Championship and help prepare the course.
Former Wentworth Courses Manager Chris Kennedy was Walter’s friend for more than half a century and said: "Walter was certainly one of the guys who was at the forefront of
Towcester Racecourse closed Remaining fixtures have been sold to Arena Racing Company
Towcester Racecourse has been permanently closed and remaining fixtures sold, the British Horseracing Authority has announced.
The course went into administration with debts of more than £1.3m in August 2018 but administrators of the previous management company announced they had sold assets in November.
But racing did not resume at the course and its owners have sold its remaining ten fixtures to Arena Racing Company.
Racing first took place at Towcester Racecourse in 1876.
It was also the stage for legendary jockey AP McCoy's landmark 4,000th career win in 2013.
"We are saddened to see the closure of Towcester, a beautiful racecourse which will undoubtedly have created fond memories for
8 PC October/November 2019
many racing fans and participants," said Richard Wayman, Chief Operating Officer of the BHA.
“We had hoped, following the course going into administration, that the new owners might find a solution which allowed racing to resume, and it is disappointing that has not proved possible.”
“The BHA will now work with ARC to find the most suitable venues for the ten fixtures involved, which will all remain over jumps.”
“From championship racing to grassroots, jump racing remains extremely popular, with a growing base of loyal and knowledgeable supporters. The outlook for the sport is a positive one.”
Cornelius Lysaght, BBC horse racing correspondent, comments;
“The future did look rosier for the track under
fresh ownership late in 2018 - although original owner Lord Hesketh was still there - and I remember writing about the prospects of an imminent resumption. Wrong.”
“There has been a certain amount of messing around, with intended fixtures being transferred elsewhere but, until now, hopes continued of it being a temporary closure.”
“It's just such a pity. With an examining circuit, it was renowned as the ‘home of the slow horse’, whilst a location in rolling acres of Northamptonshire made it something of a ‘classic’ venue for jumping with historic rural roots.”
greenkeeping having the status that it does today.”
“When you see the volunteers at The Open and the BMW PGA, he was one of the few who worked hard and could see what the future would look like. He wanted to give guys at normal golf clubs the experience of the highs and lows of tournament golf, so they could go back to their clubs and take the experience and knowledge they had gained with them.”
“He had this great drive within himself and he could see a vision for the future. He was the father figure of modern greenkeeping.”
Walter received the British Empire Medal and was presented with the Tom Morris Award in 2002 by the US Golf Course Superintendents Association. Previous recipients of the award include Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer and Bob Hope and the award is given to people who ‘through a continuing lifetime commitment to golf have helped to mould the welfare of the game in a manner and style exemplified by Old Tom Morris’.
Walter died on 18 September 2019, aged 84, following a long illness.
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