Tributes paid to legendary Scottish golf writer Colin Farquharson

‘We received a lot of coverage from Colin but even more support’

Tributes have been paid to legendary Scottish golf writer Colin Farquharson, who has died at the age of 86 in his beloved Aberdeen.

Farquharson, who joined the Press & Journal as a copy boy in the sports department in 1953 before rejoining the Granite City-based newspaper as a sport sub-editor after completing his national service, wrote about golf for most of his career.

He covered his first Open Championship at Royal Troon in 1973 and soon became the golf writer at the P&J, where he had a spell as a sports editor before going back to full-time writing.

Colin Farquharson pictured with, fom left, daughter Elaine, wife Ethel and then AGW chairman Iain Carter after being afforded Honorary Life Membership of the AGW during the 2008 Open at Carnoustie.

Following his retiral from the P&J in 1997 after almost 44 years, Farquharson went freelance, writing for the David Begg Sports Agency and then on his own through the Cal Carson Sports Agency, also taking photos. During that phase of his career, he also launched Scottish Golf View, an all encompassing website.

His first love was women's golf - his daughter Elaine won the Scottish Women’s Amateur Championship in 1990, played in two Curtis Cups and captained GB & Ireland to a win over the Americans in 2016 - and he was often press officer for the LGU and The R&A at national events.

“Colin did an amazing job, firstly with the P&J and, latterly, with Scottish Golf View of keeping Scottish golfers up to date with what was happening in the world of golf,” said 1999 Open champion and two-time Ryder Cup player Paul Lawrie. “He had a long and successful career in golf journalism. which is sadly not the norm any more.”

Michele Thomson and David Law, two players who knew Farquharson well after coming through the amateur ranks in the North-East before going on to hold cards for the LET and DP World Tour respectively, said they were “sad” to hear of his passing.

Colin Farquharson, who has died at the age of 86, was a well-known figure in Scottish golfing circles

“I’ve known Colin, (wife) Ethel and Elaine for over 20 years now right back to my playing days with the Scottish teams and, in particular. Aberdeenshire Girls/Ladies,” said Thomson, speaking from Korea, where she is playing in this week’s Aramco Team Series event.

“Colin was an absolute gentleman whose contribution to journalism covering women’s sport, especially golf, cannot be underestimated. Any team or individual success I had in my early career Colin always seemed to be there to capture the moment.

“I will forever be grateful for the support and encouragement of the whole Farquharson family over many years and my thoughts are with them during this very sad time.”

Law, a double Scottish Amateur champion before landing a breakthrough win on the DP World Tour in the 2019 ISPS Handa Vic Open, added: “Scottish Golf View seemed to be a website that was constantly on our computer or spoken about in my household growing up. Before the age of social media and live scoring, SGV was the go to site to see results from anything in Scotland really.

“Colin’s enthusiasm for golf was very evident as well as the pride he took in Scottish players doing well, especially those from the North East! As golfers, we received a lot of coverage from Colin but even more support.”

Farquharson joined the Association of Golf Writers in 1974 and was afforded Honorary Life Membership during the 2018 Open at Carnoustie, where North-East player Sam Locke won the Silver Medal as leading amateur.