Golf bids farewell to the clubmaker who conquered television

CELEBRATED Scottish television golf commentator Alex Hay, a PGA professional for more than half a century and former Ryder Cup referee, has died at the age of 78.

Although a highly-respected player in his own right, it was in his role as a commentator for the BBC from 1978 to 2004 that he was best known.

He co-presented all the major tournaments with Peter Alliss and the pair were renowned for their wit, rapport, feeling for and deep knowledge of the game.

Last night the BBC sports news correspondent James Pearce paid tribute to him. He said: "I'm very sad to report that Alex Hay, the former BBC golf commentator has died. He helped me out on so many occasions at major golf events."

Mr Hay was born in Edinburgh in 1933 and joined the golf equipment manufacturer Ben Sayers as an apprentice clubmaker before becoming an assistant professional with Bill Shankland, Tony Jacklin's first employer, at Potters Bar golf club in Hertfordshire.

He qualified as a PGA professional in 1952 and had spells at East Herts, Dunham Forest and Ashridge golf clubs before moving to Woburn in 1977. Initially, the head PGA professional there, he became its managing director and played an influential role in that club's development, designing the Marquess course.

Originally introduced to the BBC by the athletics and football commentator David Coleman, Mr Hay was eventually dropped by the corporation, some believed, because he had lost touch with modern golf techniques.

Writing in his autobiography, My Life, Mr Alliss said he had tried to persuade the powers-that-be to retain Mr Hay.

"Unfortunately, some people at the BBC wanted him (Hay] out. I say without fear or favour that I fought tooth and nail to keep him in, but that was one battle which I lost," he wrote.

However, Mr Alliss insisted that "Alex had one of the best analytical brains and is one of the best coaches I've ever come across".

Mr Hay insisted that he was not bitter about being dropped by the BBC.

In an interview with The Scotsman's golf correspondent Mike Aitken in 2004, he said: "I suppose I could have said I'd chosen to retire, but the truth was the BBC want to go in a different direction and I can't complain about that. When I started working for them 26 years ago I would have been ecstatic to be handed a three-year contract. As it turned out, I lasted for longer than a quarter of a century and enjoyed every minute of it. From the letters I've received, the viewers enjoyed it too."

Although Mr Hay left broadcasting, he remained closely involved in the professional golf scene, and was noted for his golfing instruction, particularly the techniques of the swing, and wrote on the subject.And although he lived in Woburn, in 2005 he intervened in a row over the future of the historic Musselburgh Links golf course, objecting to plans to build floodlights for the nearby Musselburgh Racecourse on the famous nine-hole course, which he said would "butcher" a "national treasure".

Mr Hay, who died with his family by his side, leaves a wife Ann, and two sons, Graham and David.