Mark Wilson, the first Director of Communications at the European Tour and former golf correspondent of the Daily Express, has died at the age of 90.
Wilson joined the Tour in 1986 as Director of Communications having arrived from being the lead journalist at several papers and finally the Daily Express. He was the author of numerous books on golf and was the Chairman of the Association of Golf Writers from 1982-84. He then became Consultant to the Executive Director from 1990.
Jack Nicklaus was among those to pay tribute.
“Mark Wilson lived a long, full and rich life, and outside of his family, no one benefitted more from that than Mark’s extended family that is the world of golf. Mark touched and impacted the game in myriad ways, whether it was as a writer, a valuable communications contact for media around the world, a confidant to our game’s most important decision-makers, or simply as a friend. Mark was a kind man, nice to all he met and worked with, and he always handled himself with the manners and respect that have long been associated with golf. He represented our sport very well.
“I was once told that Mark’s first golf writing assignment came at the Ryder Cup in 1957, so over the course of some 60 years, Mark witnessed so many key eras in the evolution of our game, from the ascension of my friends Arnold Palmer and Gary Player, to those who helped take the Ryder Cup and European golf to new heights, such as Tony Jacklin and Seve.
“Mark played golf and understood the game, and it showed in his writing. He was a wonderful story-teller, with a good sense of humor. Mark’s writing could entertain you as much as inform you.
“Whenever the game has lost a golf writer or media personality from a past generation of golf, I tend to remember them as someone you could sit down with for dinner, share stories and laughs, and not worry about it showing up the next day in the newspaper. Mark was that type of journalist—a friend to many, yet always the professional, who managed to balance friendships with fair, balanced journalistic integrity. He will be missed. My wife Barbara and I join many, including those in the world of golf, in sending our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to his family and all those fortunate to call Mark Wilson a friend.”
Gary Player also paid tribute. "I have so many fond memories of Mark. His passion, charisma and selflessness made all those proud who associated with him. We developed a friendship during his time working for The Daily Express and the European Tour, and even before, as our careers - although different - are very much aligned.
"Everything shall pass, and no doubt Mark gave his all to his profession. He loved it. He loved the game and covering the game, and was a keen golfer himself.
"That’s so important in life. Love what you do. Do it with pride and conviction. Mark did just that. 90 years is certainly a long, well lived life. And Mark lived, he didn’t just exist. He was friendly with mostly all of the golfers, but always kept his professionalism. We are all thankful for Mark’s contributions over the years.
"Vivienne and I send our condolences to his family and friends. May he Rest in Peace."
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
The family invite all to attend Mark’s funeral service at Woking Crematorium (Hermitage Road, St Johns, Woking, Surrey GU21 8TJ) on Wednesday 16th May, 2018, at 1.15 pm and the Reception afterwards at Sunningdale Golf Club (Ridgemount Road, Sunningdale SL5 9RR).
Family flowers only but should you wish to make a donation in memory of Mark then these are to the Golf Foundation or the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) via Lodge Brothers Funeral Directors, 7 Broomhall Buildings, Chobham Road, Sunningdale, Berkshire SL5 0DU or online at www.lodgebrothers.co.uk
The following tribute was written by Mitchell Platts, who succeeded Mark as Director of Communications at the European Tour.
Mark Wilson, centre in sunglasses, with other members of the British Press corps Norman Mair (l), Ronnie Wills (centre third from right) Michael McDonnell (r) and Jack Statter interview Arnold Palmer after his win at the Penfold PGA Championship held at Royal St Georges Golf Club on May 25, 1975 in Sandwich, England. (Photo by Peter Dazeley/Getty Images)
Mark Wilson, centre in sunglasses, with other members of the British Press corps Norman Mair (l), Ronnie Wills (centre third from right) Michael McDonnell (r) and Jack Statter interview Arnold Palmer after his win at the Penfold PGA Championship held at Royal St Georges Golf Club on May 25, 1975 in Sandwich, England. (Photo by Peter Dazeley/Getty Images)
Mark Wilson, third from the right, with other former colleagues and officers from The European Tour (R-L) Angel Gallardo, Ken Schofield, Mitchell Platts, George O'Grady, Neil Coles and Scott Kelly
Golf was Mark’s passion so when the time came for him to step down as Golf Correspondent of the Daily Express he was delighted to accept an offer in 1986 to become Head of Communications for the European Tour working from their Wentworth Headquarters in Surrey with first Chief Executive Ken Schofield and then George O’Grady.
Schofield said: “When Mark accepted the Tour’s offer to join the fast expanding senior management team at Wentworth HQ he had, of course, already established his reputation as one of the country’s and the game of golf’s finest writers. If one thought that perhaps he would then slow down and be content, as would those of us delighted to welcome his wise counsel, then everyone was mistaken!
“From the first moment of his arrival, Mark threw himself into action, devising and developing the Tour’s first full-time, highly professional media department and generally bringing fresh impetus to our entire operation with his unique enthusiasm and unrivalled experience.
“In short, Mark Wilson was a phenomenon. We were all privileged to call him our colleague, friend and confidant. Today’s European Tour – and the entire game – owes him our gratitude. To Joan, Jacqueline and Lisa, and all the family our love and fond memories.”
O’Grady said: “Mark Wilson became the first Head of Communications for The European Tour following his successful career as a distinguished journalist, author, raconteur and editor of numerous golf publications. His unique ability, his professionalism, his personality, the relationships he formed throughout the world and the respect in which he was held contributed enormously to the growth and success of The European Tour.”
During his last years in Brighton in a care home, where he was much loved, Mark remain entwined with the game and, indeed, in 2017 he won the Association of Golf Writers ‘Pick Your Pro’ competition which involved nominating the winners of global tournaments week by week.
Mark will always be remembered for the enjoyment he provided his colleagues and his loyalty to them and the publications for whom he worked. When his successor at the London Evening Standard arrived in Fleet Street from Scotland he typically offered him his contacts book of telephone numbers saying: “Everybody you want to speak to is in there”.
It was a magnanimous gesture from a man who loved Fleet Street and golf. Always the journalist to the end, and when very ill, he still asked “Who won the Masters?”
Mark is survived by Joan and his daughters Jacqueline and Lisa.
Mark Wilson, third from the right, with other former colleagues and officers from The European Tour (R-L) Angel Gallardo, Ken Schofield, Mitchell Platts, George O'Grady, Neil Coles and Scott Kelly
Golf was Mark’s passion so when the time came for him to step down as Golf Correspondent of the Daily Express he was delighted to accept an offer in 1986 to become Head of Communications for the European Tour working from their Wentworth Headquarters in Surrey with first Chief Executive Ken Schofield and then George O’Grady.
Schofield said: “When Mark accepted the Tour’s offer to join the fast expanding senior management team at Wentworth HQ he had, of course, already established his reputation as one of the country’s and the game of golf’s finest writers. If one thought that perhaps he would then slow down and be content, as would those of us delighted to welcome his wise counsel, then everyone was mistaken!
“From the first moment of his arrival, Mark threw himself into action, devising and developing the Tour’s first full-time, highly professional media department and generally bringing fresh impetus to our entire operation with his unique enthusiasm and unrivalled experience.
“In short, Mark Wilson was a phenomenon. We were all privileged to call him our colleague, friend and confidant. Today’s European Tour – and the entire game – owes him our gratitude. To Joan, Jacqueline and Lisa, and all the family our love and fond memories.”
O’Grady said: “Mark Wilson became the first Head of Communications for The European Tour following his successful career as a distinguished journalist, author, raconteur and editor of numerous golf publications. His unique ability, his professionalism, his personality, the relationships he formed throughout the world and the respect in which he was held contributed enormously to the growth and success of The European Tour.”
During his last years in Brighton in a care home, where he was much loved, Mark remain entwined with the game and, indeed, in 2017 he won the Association of Golf Writers ‘Pick Your Pro’ competition which involved nominating the winners of global tournaments week by week.
Mark will always be remembered for the enjoyment he provided his colleagues and his loyalty to them and the publications for whom he worked. When his successor at the London Evening Standard arrived in Fleet Street from Scotland he typically offered him his contacts book of telephone numbers saying: “Everybody you want to speak to is in there”.
It was a magnanimous gesture from a man who loved Fleet Street and golf. Always the journalist to the end, and when very ill, he still asked “Who won the Masters?”
Mark is survived by Joan and his daughters Jacqueline and Lisa.
