BIGGA mourns former BIGGA Chairman, Pat Murphy

PAT MURPHY (1948-2020)

Patrick (Pat) Murphy, chairman of BIGGA in 1997 and formerly head greenkeeper at Shipley Golf Club, died during November at the age of 72.

Pat was born in Scotland and began greenkeeping at Broomiknowe, where he graduated to the role of greenkeeper/professional. He would also hold this role at West Linton.

While at West Linton Pat became the youngest-ever nominee for greenkeeper of the year.

He moved south to Shipley in 1970 and quickly became heavily involved with the greenkeeper association, with a key focus on association. 

He became chairman of BIGGA in 1997 and during his tenure travelled extensively across Europe and to the US.  

 

A key responsibility as chairman was the commencement of construction of BIGGA House and Pat was the first to put a spade in the ground at the Aldwark Manor site at the outset of the project.

Following his time at Shipley GC, Pat took on a part-time role at Shipley College, which continued until he suffered a major stroke a week after his 65th birthday. The stroke left him unable to operate the left side of his body, but through grit and determination he recovered enough to walk short distances.

Pat was widely known in the greenkeeping world as "the Scotsman with the Irish name" and he will be sadly missed. BIGGA sends its sincere condolence to Pat's wife, Lynda, their seven children, 16 grandchildren and their five great-grandchildren.

What are your memories of Pat? Email GI Editor Karl Hansell using [email protected] and we'll include them on our Postage Stamp letters page.