Jim Farmer, a name synonymous with St Andrews and the wider golfing world, has sadly passed away suddenly at the age of 76.
Known affectionately as ‘Mr Golf’ in his hometown of St Andrews, Jim was the Honorary Professional at The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and enjoyed a hugely influential career as a player, coach, businessman and administrator.
A PGA Master Professional and former Captain of the Association, Jim will be sadly missed by all who knew him at the home of golf, across Scottish golf and beyond.
An accomplished professional, he made six appearances in The Open – the first appropriately at St Andrews in 1970 – and had victories in the 1979 Northern Open at Nairn and the 1983 PGA Club Professional Championship at Heaton Park.
Coach to leading names
Later in his career when appointed Scotland Boys’ and Youth teams national coach, Jim played a key role in the development of talented professionals, including: Gordon Brand Jnr, Andrew Coltart, Stephen Gallacher, Stephen McAllister and Gary Orr.
He also coached McAllister when he progressed on Tour, likewise Adam Hunter, Ross Drummond and the Champion Golfer of the Year in 1999, Paul Lawrie. Coltart, Lawrie, Brand Jnr and Gallacher all went on to become Ryder Cup players for Europe.
Jim succeeded another luminary of Scottish golf, the late John Panton, as the Honorary Professional at The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and was honoured in 2010 on the eve of The Open by the University of St Andrews.
In a ceremony alongside Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and Pádraig Harrington, he was honoured in recognition of his lifetime achievements and “outstanding contribution to the community of St Andrews and the game of golf”. He also ran Jim Farmer Golf in the town’s Market Street for almost 20 years from 1987 to 2006.
Dream honour
Speaking to The Scotsman in 2021, he said, “I was born in St Andrews and lived five miles away, so it was maybe going to be difficult for me not to have played golf. But the journey it has taken me on, from Ryder Cups, being on the board of the PGA and being captain of the PGA.
“My greatest thing was getting a St Andrews University award with Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Pádraig Harrington and Johann Rupert. To have breakfast with Arnold Palmer and chat about his career, while Tom Watson’s swing was the one I talked to people about when I was national coach. Things like that you just wouldn’t dream about.”
Martin Slumbers, Secretary of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and CEO of The R&A, said, “Golf has lost one of its most respected personalities. Jim Farmer was a much-loved St Andrews man but his expertise and influence went well beyond the town.
“As Honorary Professional at The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, he played an important role and will be sadly missed by all our Members. Jim was an inspiration to so many golfers and made a huge contribution to the game locally, nationally and around the world.”
Accomplished player
Born in St Andrews in 1948, Jim was to follow a golf path – but it was on the football field where he initially thrived. A promising centre-half, Hearts paid him £500 to sign at the age of 17. Sadly, he sustained a cruciate knee injury three years later and focused on golf. He represented Scotland as an amateur and won the Lytham Trophy and Leven Gold Medal before turning professional in 1971.
Jim thrived on the newly-created Tartan Tour, topping the money list seven seasons running. He became the head pro at Drumpellier Golf Club and, inspired by working with and having lessons from John Jacobs, established a reputation as a gifted coach.
From a PGA perspective, Jim served on the Association’s board and was Captain from 2009-2011. He represented Great Britain and Ireland in four PGA Cups. Then as Captain at The K Club in 2005, led the team to its first victory over the United States of America in 23 years.
In 2009, Jim was made a Life Member of St Andrews Golf Club – the club he joined as a teenager. Away from the practice ground, pro shop and playing circuit, he was appointed director of golf on two films, one directed by Jason Connery, the son of Sean.
Jim, who celebrated his 76th birthday on Tuesday earlier this week, is survived by Denise, his wife, daughter Julie and her husband Tom Brown and their two daughters, Florence and Iris; and son Jamie, his wife Deirdra, and their daughter Emilia. 
