A Personal Tribute To Iain McGregor by Tony Johnstone (12-5-1961 to 11-5-2014)
By Tony Johnstone, European Tour Productions and Sky Sports commentator
Iain McGregor, known to everyone on tour as Zim Mac, was one of the most popular guys on the European Tour amongst both players and caddies. He always had a ready smile and loved nothing better than a bit of banter and a good laugh – often at his own expense!
He was born and educated in Harare and after school signed up with the (then) Rhodesian army for several years. Mac was known for being utterly fearless of everyone and everything, and would pursue his love of the bush by disappearing into big-game territory for a week on his own (unarmed!). He had a passion for fishing and wildlife and was never happier than when in the wilds of Africa. A true bushman.
He was a very handy golfer who played off a three handicap at one stage and was renowned for his hot short game. When caddying for Roger Wessels in Europe he would say that Roger was paying a coach thousands for the same advice that Mac gave him for free! His life-long friend Ian Wallace, who caddied for many years in Europe, says HE got fat because they never lost a bet for lunch.
After the military, Mac moved to South Africa and became a qualified cabinet-maker where he specialised in making bespoke furniture.
He began caddying on the European Tour in 1999 and worked for many notables including Jeev Milkha Singh, Brett Rumford, Joel Sjoholm amongst others. He was known for being a straight-talker and wouldn’t just tell you only what you wanted to hear!
His great pride was his daughter, Carmen, who inherited some of her dad’s adventurous spirit. At 19, she parachutes and has qualified to captain ocean-going yachts and the whole Tour offers our sincerest condolences.
His popularity is evidenced by the outpouring of condolence messages on social media. He will be sorely missed as one of the characters and good-guys on tour. RIP Mac and thanks for all the years of fun and laughter you gave us.
NOTE: Players will be wearing black ribbons as a tribute to Iain during the Open de Espana and a minute silence will be held at 1540 - the approximate time of Iain's untimely death last Sunday - during the first round.
