Charlie Green, one of Scotland's most decorated amateur golfers, has died at the age of 80 following a battle with cancer.
A prolific winner and a formidable competitor, the well-kent Dumbarton man, who was still playing golf "two or three times a week" prior to his diagnosis in August, achieved almost everything in the unpaid ranks.
Having been lured in by the Royal & Ancient game's charms as a 16-year-old – "it was an instant love affair" he told Herald Sport in an interview at the end of 2012 – Green's glory-laden career illustrated his competitive longevity.
He earned the silver medal in the 1962 Open, the year Arnold Palmer captured the Claret Jug at Royal Troon, and went on to plunder three Scottish Amateur Championship titles in 1970, 1982 and 1983. That final triumph, at Gullane 30 years ago, arrived just 10 days short of his 51st birthday and simply highlighted just what a tireless campaigner he was. "You're not expecting to win more Scottish titles at that age," recalled Green, as he reflected on the successes than spanned the decades.
When he went toe-to-toe with his fellow elder statesmen in the over-50s scene, Green, who was involved in seven Walker Cups as either player or captain, conquered all before him and swept to a series of Scottish and British Senior Amateur crowns as the trophy haul continued.
"Charlie was a very intense competitor and yet he gave the impression that he was enjoying the game for its own sake," said Raymond Jacobs, the former Herald golf corres-pondent who covered Green's exploits with great enthusiasm down the seasons.
"He really was one of the old school as he was never going to turn pro. He was of a great generation and part of a very lively scene in Scottish amateur golf in those days that included a bunch of players who came back year after year to play the game."
Charlie Green's funeral will take place on Monday, February 4, at 11.15 in Cardross Parish Church.
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