This is a picture of RT Walker taken in the early 60's.
He was something of a local prodigy back then, because when Bobby was only 14 years old he became holder of the Downfield Course record by finishing a round in 63, taking a whopping 6 strokes off the previous record, and by the time he was 21 (around the period of the photo) he had held numerous Scottish titles and records.
Bobby Walker was my fathers cousin, but I learned my golf when aged 12 at Stobswell Boys School; Walter Lyle the professional at Caird Park was our tutor; I believe he was Sandy Lyle's uncle. My love of the game lasted for 52 years then I called it a day when my handicap started to rise & rise
ReplyDeleteHello and thank you for writing this. Bobby was my Dad and its so wonderful to see him on here.
DeleteNice to meet you! Does that make us second cousins?
ReplyDeleteI was a little older than Bobby, but saw him play many times---I remember him winning the Carris Trophy in 1959, beating German Peter Jochums in a play off. What a SUPERB golfer he was. Very sad he left us so young.
ReplyDeleteI played with Bobby from the time we were juniors at the original Downfield course, where his father Fred was the pro. We lived in the same street (Americanmuir Road) and went to the same school (Morgan Academy). When he turned pro at 16 he had the makings of a world beater. He had incredible all-round talent and was an exceptionally powerful iron player, something Jack Nicklaus acknowledged when they played together in a practice round at The Open at Lytham St Anne's. He never realised his full potential, partly through a back problem and partly because he didn't much care for the lifestyle of a touring pro. He had an easygoing personality and never had a bad word to say about anybody. His premature death was a sad loss to all who knew him.
ReplyDelete