THE DEATH occurred on Sunday of well-known Angus golfer Mr Richard (Rich) Cargill. He was 69 and had been ill for some time.

Mr Cargill was born in Arbroath and, apart from a few years in Monifieth during the second world war, stayed in the town all his life.

He was educated at Arbroath High and left in 1953 to take up an apprenticeship with Herald Press, remaining there until his retiral in 1997.

He married Jean Booth in 1979 and lived at Craigmore, Elliot, until recently when they moved to Duncan Avenue.

It is as a golfer he will be remembered by many. His record is most impressive.

He won the Scott Cup and the Links Championship of Elliot on no fewer than 13 occasions—the first aged 18 in 1956 and last in 1991. He won the cup in five separate decades, a rare feat demonstrating the consistency and fluency of his game.

He was champion of Arbroath Artisan Golf Club nine times, including five in a row from 1979. He represented Angus County and Inter-district teams on many occasions over 35 years, and a scratch player from 1964 to 1986.

Away from Elliot his major triumph was winning the Craws Nest Tassie at Carnoustie in 1963. He had numerous open tournament successes and at one time held course records at Elliot, Crieff and Edzell, and during his career had 19 holes in one.

As well as a lifelong association with Arbroath Artisans where he was captain from 1992 to 1994 and who conferred honorary membership on him, he was at some time a member of Edzell, Carnoustie Mercantile and Letham Grange, being champion of the last-named two.

Although never capped for Scotland he was proud to have beaten in competition two future Walker Cup players and a future Ryder Cup player—Michael Attenborough in 1955, W. Dick Smith in 1964 and Harry Bannerman in 1963.

He devoted much time into coaching the junior members at Arbroath and was a committee member in charge of Angus County junior teams.

On retiral at 60 he continued in senior golf, winning scratch opens at Montrose, Arbroath and Edzell on several occasions.

He was also Angus senior champion twice.

Away from the game Mr Cargill was a keen and knowledgeable gardener and he and Jean, also a golfer, enjoyed travelling.

A celebration of his life will take place at Arbroath West Kirk on Thursday at 11am.