Bill McCrea, one of the key figures in Walton Heath Golf Club hosting The 1981 Ryder Cup, and a talented amateur golfer in his own right, has passed away.
Secretary at the Surrey course for a number of years, McCrae was also influential in the venue welcoming the European Open in 1978, creating a 7,200 yard composite layout that proved a superb challenge to those teeing it up as well as providing an exemplary facility for spectators.
Just three years later it welcomed one of the strongest American Ryder Cup teams in history, as well as being the first time a European line-up had played on home soil, ensuring Walton Heath’s place in the storied past of the biennial match play contest.
Talented in his own right, McCrea was good enough to represent Ireland in the Home Internationals on a number of occasions, having not made his debut until the age of 44. He was also a key figure in the sport within the Royal Air Force during the 1950s and 60s.
As an amateur, McCrea triumphed as part of the victorious Irish line-up at the European Team Championship in 1965, before further success followed later that year at the Austrian Open Amateur. A year later he also went on to triumph at the Dutch Open Amateur.
Ken Schofield, Chief Executive of The European Tour from 1975 to 2005, said: “Wing Commander Bill McCrea cut a powerful figure for many years at Walton Heath, and rightly so. Good enough to play on many occasions for Ireland in the Home internationals, Peter Oosterhuis and other leading Tour players will attest to Bill's doughty match play abilities.
“He, above perhaps all others, masterminded Walton Heath's return to big time tournament golf after a long spell on the outside when the European Open required a London-based club to act as host venue in 1978.
“Bill was the Tour's point of contact as Walton Heath stepped back into the limelight, and his foresight in compiling the then 7,200 yard composite course made for a superb challenge for the top players, with tented village services and safety to match.
“The European Open continued, later alternating with Sunningdale, for more than a decade and provided Bill and the Club with a ready-made opportunity to step in as venue for The 1981 Ryder Cup matches when the Belfry's owners opted to defer their initial hosting until 1985.
“Those Ryder Cup matches, arguably featuring the strongest United States team in history, have ensured Walton Heath's place in tournament golf's history and may be seen as Bill's finest legacy.
“He was a man of strong integrity, loyal and devoted to the game of golf, and his beloved Walton Heath. He will be missed, but not forgotten.”
