IT WAS with profound sadness that I learned yesterday of the death of Michael Williams, golf correspondent of the Daily Telegraph Only last weekend, we were but a few seats apart, working at the US Masters at Augusta National.
On his return from Augusta, Michael went golfing yesterday with his son Roddy at the Chelmsford club in Essex where he was twice captain, when he collapsed and died suddenly. He was 63.
Williams was a member of the Association of Golf Writers since 1971 and served as its chairman from 1987 to 1992. He was also editor of the Golfer's Handbook and a member of the Royal and Ancient for 21 years. "He was a wonderful friend of golf and reported it not only because it was his job, but because he loved it," said Michael Bonallack, secretary of the R and A yesterday.
An extremely warm and generous colleague, I will always associate Michael with the triumph by Ireland's Eamonn Darcy, Des Smyth and Ronan Rafferty in the Dunhill Cup at St Andrews in 1988. Instantly appreciating how significant a win it was for Irish golf, Michael left his seat in the media centre and made a point of coming to me and my Irish colleagues to offer his congratulations.
To his wife Judy, who is the current lady captain at Chelmsford, and to all his family, we extend our sincere sympathy.
