The R&A

Obituary: Peter McEvoy OBE

The R&A

07 Apr 25

5 mins

Peter McEvoy with the Walker Cup trophy in 2001

Peter McEvoy OBE, one of Britain’s finest amateur golfers, has sadly passed away at the age of 72.

A two-time winner of The Amateur Championship who enjoyed an impressive Walker Cup career as a player and Captain for Great Britain and Ireland, McEvoy was widely known across the golfing world for his feats in the amateur game and beyond. Mark Darbon, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “We have lost one of amateur golf’s most respected figures with the passing of Peter McEvoy. “Peter was an outstanding amateur golfer and enjoyed an illustrious career, including his two victories in The Amateur Championship and success in the Walker Cup. He also worked so hard to develop the game as an administrator and help provide opportunities for aspiring players. “Peter was dedicated to the amateur game, choosing not to turn professional, and will be widely missed across the golf world. On behalf of The R&A and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews I would like to offer our deepest condolences to Peter’s family at this sad time.” Born in London in 1953, McEvoy spent much of his childhood living near Turnberry where his father was a member of the famous Ayrshire links. He joined Copt Heath Golf Club in the West Midlands, aged 13, after his family moved south and went on to enjoy a strong connection with the club, becoming an Honorary Member as his career developed. The Peter McEvoy Trophy, played in his name at Copt Heath, has become the traditional curtain raiser to the domestic boys’ season.

Mark Darbon - Chief Executive of The R&A

"We have lost one of amateur golf’s most respected figures with the passing of Peter McEvoy."

A prolific winner

McEvoy won The Amateur in both 1977 at Ganton and in 1978 at Royal Troon before adding the Brabazon Trophy in 1980 (tied with Ronan Rafferty). He also won the Lytham Trophy in 1979 and was runner-up at The Amateur in 1987. As Amateur Champion, he played in The Open in 1978 at St Andrews and in 1979 at Royal Lytham & St Annes, winning the Silver Medal as leading amateur on both occasions. McEvoy also famously played all four rounds of the Masters Tournament in 1978 to finish 53^rd. He remains the only British amateur to make the cut at Augusta National. In total, he played in The Open on six occasions and made three Masters Tournament appearances. “In 1979 I thought about it (turning pro),” McEvoy once said. “I was back-to-back Amateur Champion, low amateur in The Open and made the cut at the Masters. I had just qualified as a solicitor, though, and I didn’t want to give that up so keeping my amateur status was the right thing to do for me.” One of the most determined and competitive golfers to ever play the game, his success was founded on long, straight driving, well-controlled approach shots (often played low) and impeccable putting. The Walker Cup also defined McEvoy’s career. He was a five-time Walker Cup player and victorious non-playing Captain on two occasions. His Walker Cup debut for GB&I came in 1977 before he also played in the biennial team contest against the United States of America in 1979, 1981, 1985 and 1989. The victory for GB&I at Peachtree GC in the USA in 1989 was their first away from home. McEvoy represented GB&I on five occasions in the Eisenhower Trophy, winning the team title in 1988 when he was the individual champion. He also shone for GB&I in the St Andrews Trophy, winning on each occasion in 1978, 1980, 1984, 1986 and 1988. He went on to captain the GB&I team to their first-ever back-to-back Walker Cup triumphs in 1999 at Nairn and in 2001 at Sea Island in Georgia. McEvoy’s charges for the 15-9 victory in 1999 included Paul Casey and Luke Donald, with Donald, Nick Dougherty, Marc Warren and Graeme McDowell involved in the 2001 team to achieve the same winning scoreline. McEvoy was full of praise for what he called at the time, “the best team that's ever represented Great Britain and Ireland”. McEvoy also enjoyed success as GB&I Captain at the Eisenhower Trophy in Chile in 1998. A member of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, he continued to work closely with The R&A as Chairman of the Selection Committee and managed the GB&I Jacques Léglise Trophy team. In 1978 he received the Association of Golf Writers' Trophy for his contribution to European golf that year, before being awarded an OBE in 2003 for his services to the sport. In 2009 he received the prestigious Association of Golf Writers' Award for his outstanding services to the game. He also became involved in golf course design. Peter McEvoy is survived by his wife Helen and children Cameron, Richie, Mary, Douglas and five grandchildren.

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