Obituary – David Marsh

The R&A

19 Aug 22

3 mins

David Marsh MBE, the former Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup Captain and a Past Captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, has sadly passed away at the age of 88. The Englishman, who was born in Lancashire in 1934, was a respected figure in amateur golf circles locally and nationally and in the wider sporting world. A talented golfer, Marsh won the English Amateur Championship in 1964 and 1970 and represented England on 75 occasions – including being part of the victorious European Amateur Team Championship side in 1971. Marsh first represented GB&I in 1958 in the St Andrews Trophy against the Continent of Europe, helping the side to a 10-5 success at Golf de Saint-Cloud in France.

David Marsh MBE playing in the 1971 Walker Cup.

Walker Cup Role

He also participated in the Walker Cup, making his debut for GB&I in a loss to the USA at Muirfield in 1959 and being a member of the victorious GB&I team in 1971 over the Old Course at St Andrews. Charlie Green and George Macgregor also featured in a 13-11 win for Sir Michael Bonallack’s team. Marsh went on to be non-playing Captain of the team in 1973 and 1975 which both ended in defeat. Marsh was named as Captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in 1990 having previously been president of the Lancashire and then English Unions between 1973 and 1975. He was the youngest captain of Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club in 1967. He was awarded an MBE in 2010 for his services to amateur golf. Away from golf, Marsh was a past Chairman of Everton Football Club and also played rugby for Southport RFC, joining the club in 1957. Professionally, he spent his career as a GP, practising in Kirkby.