Hugh Wickham, a long-term consultant to the European Tour, has died following a short illness.
Wickham’s association with the European Tour spanned five decades, firstly in his role as Marketing Communications Manager for Shell UK, when he was introduced to the Tour through Ryder Cup players Tommy Horton and Bernhard Gallacher in the late 1970s.
His support through Shell helped finance the Tour’s move from The Oval to Wentworth in 1981, and the relationship continued through the early-1980s until his retirement from Shell in June 1987, when he became Corporate Relations Consultant to the European Tour.
In addition to providing commercial support, particularly on the Senior Tour when he helped secure Shell as sponsor for the launch of the Scottish Senior Open in 1993 and the Wentworth Senior Masters in 1997, Wickham also played a leading role in the growth of the Tour’s charitable initiatives, specifically through his work with the Golf Foundation.
A popular figure amongst European Tour staff, Wickham continued in that capacity until 2007, when a party was held to mark his retirement.
Ken Schofield, Chief Executive of the European Tour from 1975 – 2004, today led the tributes to Wickham, who he described as a ‘true gentleman’.
“Hugh gave the Tour wisdom and integrity that assisted our culture at a time of considerable growth,” said Schofield. “His people skills were of legendary proportion and he was the perfect fit for any occasion, be it with the Golf Foundation or any charitable causes worthy of support, and through his work with the Senior Tour players, promoters and sponsors.
“To the best of my recollection, we never saw Hugh flustered, nor with a negative word or thought regarding anyone or anything. He was a remarkable man indeed and will be missed very much by all of us who worked with him at the European Tour.”
Wickham's funeral will take place at 11:30am on Wednesday, June 15, 2016, at St John's the Evangelist Church, Kingston upon Thames.
