A group of American golfers have made a life-saving donation to Carnoustie Links, following the tragic deaths of two former club captains on the town’s Championship course.
Club captain David Barclay’s golfing party tried to resuscitate him at the starter’s box near the first tee when he collapsed in January. The 70-year-old’s death followed that of past captain Jimmy Graham, who died from a heart attack on the 14th hole of the same course in May, at the age of 82.
The club received many messages of condolence, both by telephone and by email, following Mr Barclay’s death, including the Razor and Alligator Golf Society from Virginia, who had played with Mr Barclay and other members of the Caledonia Club.
The society offered to fund a defibrillator in Mr Barclay’s memory, which is a life-saving machine that gives the heart an electric shock in some cases of cardiac arrest.
Graeme Duncan, general manager of Carnoustie Golf Links, said, “This is an impressive and generous gesture by a group of American visitors who obviously had a very high regard for David Barclay. It is a fitting tribute for a popular and much respected figure within Carnoustie golfing circles.”
Speaking on behalf of his fellow golfers, Jake Savage from Virginia said, “During a visit to play in the Craw’s Nest Tassie, I met with Eddy Hill of the Caledonia Club. A year later we organised a match between our group of Americans and eight Caledonia Club members.
“The match was a huge success and the Caledonia team was led by David Barclay. At dinner that night, David gave a wonderful speech about the day and the camaraderie that was built. The Carnoustie friends we made were the highlight of our eight-day trip.
“When our group heard the tragic news about David, we wished to do something constructive in memory of his passing. Our group, The Razor and Alligator (R&A) Golf Society, met and discussed the situation and we felt the defibrillator was a practical and useful way to remember David.”
Club secretary Robin Reyner said, “I know David’s widow was delighted that people were thinking about her and the family. Another overseas member, Paul Otto from the United States, has also donated money towards the cost of a trophy in David’s name.
“David was instrumental in organising last year’s golf match between Caledonia and Taymouth Golf Club and that’s to be an annual event. We hope to present the trophy at the event this year.”
Eddy Hill, the acting captain of the Caledonia Club following Mr Barclay’s death, said, “He will be a loss to golf and to all those who knew him. I will try to keep up the standards which he set.”