Frank Deighton
Doctor and golfer
Born: May 21, 1927;
Died: February 23, 2018
DR FRANK Deighton, who has died aged 90, was a general practitioner in the west-end of Glasgow but he will be best remembered for his golfing prowess in his earlier life.
He was educated at Glasgow High School and Glasgow University where he graduated in medicine in 1949. After residential jobs in Glasgow’s Western and Royal Infirmaries he was called up to the RAMC in August 1950.
During basic training in Hampshire he played golf at Fleet and was made an honorary member of the Hampshire club. He was invited to tour South Africa as a member of a UK golf team and was granted three months leave from the Army. He was always pleased to tell that the time spent there was included in his two years military service, whereas the medical officer to the Himalayan team was not so fortunate and had the time away added to the two years of service. In 1951 he was invited to play golf for the British Walker Cup team and again the army granted leave.
He returned to civilian life in the summer of 1952 and in addition to his medical practice he became the medical advisor to the large earth moving company Terex, an American firm with headquarters in Lanarkshire and whose managing director was a close friend of Jack Nicklaus, the all time great American golfer. Dr Deighton also became the medical practitioner to Rolls-Royce at Hillington, Glasgow.
Despite the work load, marriage and a family he won the Scottish Amateur Championship at Troon in 1956 and again over the Old Course at St Andrews in 1959, he played for GB in the Walker Cup in 1957, he won the prestigious Tennant Cup, the oldest open amateur stroke play tournament in the world on no fewer than three occasions, and the Silver Tassie at Gleneagles in 1956. As a member of the R&A at St Andrews he was a multiple medal winner and has an engraved locker.
He was also interested in golf course architecture and in 1964 he was asked by the Isle of Skye Golf Club at Sconser to design and layout a nine hole course which he did with enthusiasm.
Despite all the achievements he was a modest man with a small circle of close friends, some of whom he met on a regular basis at Glasgow Golf Club for golf or just for coffee.
His later life was saddened by the loss of his wife Marna and his daughter Ruth. Then some nine years ago he had a stroke which left him helpless and dependent on others. The rest of his life was spent in a care home where he was well looked after and he seldom complained.
Fortunately his intellect was preserved and he won the Wee Stinker crossword in Monday’s Herald on many occasions. He enjoyed TV Quiz shows and of course he watched the golf. He seldom left his room in the care home but he had a powered chair, a TV, and a small PC which enabled him to send and receive emails. All actions were by his one useful arm and hand.
His daughter Nicky was married to Justin and lives in Bath, England but they communicated on a daily basis and were frequent visitors. Dr Deighton is survived by Nicky and her husband.
STUART MCALPINE AND NICKY DEIGHTON
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