The Perth man credited with Scotland’s prominence at the elite level of curling has died.
In recent times, almost every major world curling tournament has seen a Scottish team on the victory podium emphasising the country is a major force in the sport which it first created.
Much of this present day prominence can be attributed to Chuck Hay who, along with his Perth-based rink were the first Scots to win the world championship 50 years ago.
After that victory in 1967, Chuck helped nurture and promote the sport both at home and on the international scene to the point where curling is now a recognised Olympic sport and Scottish teams feature in all the top tournaments in the curling world.
He won his first curling tournament – the Farmers’ Trophy – in 1956. Following that victory, Chuck assembled his team of John Bryden, Alan Glen and David Howie who would gain multiple honours including the world title.
Before their victory on the world stage, the rink picked up the Scottish championship in 1963; a feat they repeated another four times in the 1960s as they dominated the domestic scene.
After his own playing career came to an end, he threw himself into coaching the next generation of curlers. As National Coach, he proved his ability with success in the World Junior championships awarded first to Andrew McQuiston and then to Peter Wilson.
This was followed in the 1980s with European Championship gold medals going to a rink including Mike and David Hay – two of Chuck’s sons. David later went on in 1991, to stand on top of the podium after his team won the World Championship. He was the first Scot to do so since his father.
Such was his standing in the sport he also became the Royal Caledonian Curling Club representative on the World Curling Federation.
As his work promoting curling was recognised, he was awarded honours reflecting his efforts, including an MBE in 1977.
As a youngster, Chuck – he may have been christened Charles but was always known as Chuck – cycled the three miles from the family farm to his primary school at Rhynd. His journey doubled as he moved up to Perth Academy.
A star at Perthshire Rugby Club, his prowess in the scrum saw him selected to play for the North Midlands team where one of his colleagues was Dave Rollo who went on to play for Scotland.
He was later made an honorary president of the club.
Latterly, he and his wife, Norah toured Australia, South Africa and Chile as members of the UK Seniors Golfers’ Society. Often these events would be linked to contacts originally made in the curling world.
A celebration of his life will be held at Perth’s Dewars Centre on Saturday, August 26 from 11.30am.
