The European Senior Tour has been paying tribute to the late Alex Hay at this week’s Travis Perkins plc Senior Masters.
Hay, a much respected Scottish PGA professional who rose from club professional to Managing Director at Woburn Golf and Country Club and also forged one of the most recognisable commentary partnerships in sport alongside Peter Alliss as part of the BBC golf team, sadly passed away aged 78 last July.
But his legend lived on this week at the venue, and indeed tournament, with which he became synonymous down the years, having played an important role in the development of the Buckinghamshire club.
Former Ryder Cup Captain Ian Woosnam was one of many stars leading the tributes to Hay.
“I’ve known Alex for 30 years and he was always a great man to be around, he was always full of life and full of stories,” said the Welshman.
“It’s pretty sad that he’s not around this year as this club and this tournament meant a lot to himself and his wife, but he will be remembered for a long time around here and in the golf world in general.”
Six-time Walker Cup player Gary Wolstenholme said: “I knew Alex very well because I did a lot of commentary for the BBC, and last year I actually gave Alex a lift back after the Senior Tour dinner on the Thursday night.
“He was one of those real gentleman, in the sense that he was a gentle man, he always had a good story, always had a nice opinion, always an interesting man to speak to and we miss him.
“It’s very sad that he won’t be here this year and I think he’s well remembered by a lot of people. He and Peter Alliss were so entertaining when they were together at a dinner table and when commentating on the BBC, and there was always something to laugh at.”
Mark James, Europe’s Captain at The 1999 Ryder Cup, said: “I worked with Alex and he was always a pleasure to work with, he was very congenial and friendly and any time I come here now I will think of Alex because he was such a big part of this club.”
Sam Torrance, who captained Europe at The 2002 Ryder Cup, said: “It’s so sad that Alex is not with us this week. I loved Alex and knew him for a long time from the BBC and from Woburn and he was a great man who always had a nice word to say.”
Andy Stubbs, Managing Director of the European Senior Tour, said: “As we look forward to a great week at Woburn, it is quite sad that we are without Alex Hay, who was a fantastic supporter of the Senior Tour and the Travis Perkins plc Senior Masters.
“Alex was of course a pioneer in his own way, having been one of the first professionals to become Managing Director of a golf club, and he will be missed by all involved at Woburn this week.”
