Top honours as police chief and golf lover reaches 100

Published on Tuesday 2 June 2009 10:15

RONALD Campbell Brownlee, an important figure in the Edinburgh golfing community and a retired Edinburgh police chief, has celebrated his 100th birthday.

Ron Brownlee was born in New Zealand on 23 May, 1909, and arrived in Scotland when he was seven years old.

During his twenties Mr Brownlee served in the merchant navy as a radio officer, learning the skills he would later use to help install the police's first communication equipment in south-east Scotland.

He joined Edinburgh City Police in 1936 and remained with them for 30 years until he retired as Chief Inspector in May 1966.

While working with the police Mr Brownlee married Margaret Hornby and they had two children, Elizabeth and Campbell.

Living to 100 has meant he has had his fair share of hardships. He lost his wife in 1993 aged 83, and his son Campbell in 1997, aged 57.

After retiring, Mr Brownlee spent much of his time enjoying his favourite hobby, golf.

At Craigmillar Park Golf Club he took on a range of roles from captain to second honorary president.

He has been a member of the club for 60 years and during his reign as captain he obtained sponsorship to start the Open Tournaments at the club.

He has also been secretary of the SE District Golfing Association, the East of Scotland Golfers' Association and the Scottish Alliance of Golfers. He spent a year as captain of the Dunbar Golf club between 1976 and 1977.

He played from a handicap as low as six but always played the game for the enjoyment more than the competition.

One of his proudest moments in golf was watching his son, Campbell, win the Lothians Championship at Luffness New in 1961.

He lived on Ladysmith Road in Edinburgh for almost 70 years and now resides at Cluny Lodge Nursing Home in Edinburgh, where he is visited regularly by friends and family.

He was rewarded for reaching 100 with a surprise visit from Lothian and Borders' Chief Constable David Strang.

Mr Strang delivered a special certificate and two commemorative Lothian and Borders Police tumblers.

Mr Strang said: "I am absolutely delighted to be presenting Ron Brownlee with these gifts as he celebrates a truly landmark birthday.

"Lothian and Borders Police are proud to honour the achievements of all past and present officers.

"Reaching 100 is a real achievement indeed."

He congratulated the centenarian on his career in the police. "For 30 years, Ronald served the police force with pride and distinction and continued to be a pillar within his local community on his retirement," he said.