Golf course expert Arthur dies at 84
A LEGENDARY golf course expert from Budleigh Salterton has died, aged 84.
Agronomist Jim Arthur was one of the best-known men in his field in Britain having advised around 550 golf courses all over the country - including at the Prime Minister's country retreat, Chequers.
He was also adviser to the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, St Andrews, and supervised the preparation of golf courses for Open Championships.
He also worked in an advisory capacity with East Devon Golf Club, at Budleigh.
Mr Arthur lived in Budleigh for more than 20 years and continued working up until his death in Exeter Hospice, on May 14.
He was born at Camberwell in South London and went on to read agriculture at Reading University.
He enlisted in the Army when the Second World War started, becoming a captain and a first-class marksman. He is said to have shot down a German plane with a machine gun while training in Shetland.
However, he switched to training soldiers after suffering a serious ankle injury obtained while scaling a wall.
Following the war he worked for agricultural seed company Biddy's, as chief area manager for the North of England.
In 1997 he wrote Practical Green Keeping, which is still used by Britain's green keepers to this day.
His friend, Dr David Joselin, paid tribute to Mr Arthur, saying: "The wisdom and humanity of Jim Arthur and his gift for friendship made him a popular figure in Budleigh Salterton.
"He was a generous host and was the life and soul of a party. He was a remarkable individual.
"Those whom he called his friends counted themselves lucky indeed."
Mr Arthur leaves a wife and a son. His cremation took place in Exeter, on Friday, May 20.
|
|
|
|
|
|