Ian McMillan, Course Manager at Walton Heath Golf Club, the host venue for this year’s Senior Open Championship, has died aged 50.
He collapsed on Saturday whilst shopping with his wife Karen. The father of three had been part of the greenkeeping team at Walton Heath preparing the course for the 25th edition of the Senior Open Championship, from July 21-24, and helped host a media day last Tuesday with Sam Torrance, Bill Longmuir and Bob Cameron.
Simon Creagh Chapman, Chair of Greens at Walton Heath Golf Club and the man who was instrumental in bringing Ian in to the club from Hankley Common, said: “As you can imagine, we are all in shock and can’t quite believe what has happened.
“These are difficult times, with a very, very busy year, ahead with the Senior Open but he leaves the best trained and best motivated green staff in the country. They are a total credit to him and his seven years at Walton Heath Golf Club and they will not let him down. Ian will always be very special to me and everybody at Walton Heath.”
Andy Stubbs, Managing Director of the European Senior Tour, said: “We were shocked and saddened to hear the news over the weekend and our thoughts are with Ian’s wife and family, who have the deepest condolences at this difficult time from all at the Tour.”
