Robert Reid Jack

Born: 17 January, 1924, in Cumbernauld

Died: 25 June, 2003, in North Berwick, aged 79

ROBERT Reid Jack will be remembered as one of Scotland’s finest amateur golfers and, at his peak, possibly one of the best in the world.

His father introduced him to the game at Dullatur Golf Club but he didn’t show his future potential at that time.

However, his record in the sport went on to become most impressive, almost legendary: he won the Scottish Amateur Championship at Muirfield in 1955, the inaugural Eisenhower Trophy at St Andrews in 1956, where he tied with Bruce Devlin and Bill Herdman for the lowest individual score, and he achieved the greatest accolade in amateur golf by winning the Amateur Championship at Formby in 1957.

In 1959 he looked to be on the brink of a sensational victory when he led the Open Championship at Muirfield with only ten holes to play, but he lost out to Gary Player.

His domestic achievements included winning the Glasgow Championship and the Edward Trophy. He represented Scotland in home internationals and in European and Commonwealth events.

Given this most impressive bag of golfing achievements, it came as no surprise when he was selected for the Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup team in 1957 and 1959.

Jack did his national service with the Royal Marine Commandos, in which he was commissioned, spending most of his army career in the Far East. On demob in 1948, he went to Glasgow University, qualifying as a chartered accountant. He joined a Glasgow stockbroker before moving to London to join Cazenove. While down south, he was head-hunted by Sir Charles Chloe to become chairman of the Sears Group Motor Division.

He retired in 1981 due to ill health and returned to club golf. He is survived by his wife, Anne, his twins, Norman and Valerie, and his grandchildren, Robbie and Jennifer.

ASF