Bob Wilkinson (1942-2018)
Bob Wilkinson, who has died, aged 75, was a fantastic guy and a fabulous friend of the Association. Standing between George O’Grady and Tony Gray in the All Saints Church, Norton, at his funeral on January 22, brought memories flooding back of the terrific times enjoyed in his company with AGW members especially at those European Tour events over which he presided with such great aplomb.
Bob, and his loving wife, Josie, made a wonderful partnership, first and foremost in raising their two children, Lee, who is Head of Scoring and Information Services for the European Tour, and Natalie, and then, to the good fortune of the Association, in playing their part in developing and growing the game of golf from the late 1970s.
The AGW’s lifetime mandate to improve working facilities year on year found a firm supporter in Bob from the moment he first arrived on the European Tour scene organising tournaments such as The Lawrence Batley International and the Car Care Plan International.
Bob Wilkinson with the Dubai Desert Classic trophy.
They were exciting times, coinciding with the emergence of Seve and Nick, Sandy, Bernhard and Woosie, and standing in the centuries-old church saying goodbye to Bob brought memories back of those pioneering tournaments – one newspaper described the inaugural Lawrence Batley International in 1981 as ‘the blueprint event for the European Tour of the future.’
Twelve months later there were more headlines when Arnold Palmer and Lee Trevino were encouraged to compete for the title which Sandy Lyle successfully defended.
I recall the likes of Michael McDonnell, then enjoying his first stint as Chairman of the Association, Renton Laidlaw, Gordon Richardson, Colm Smith and Mark Wilson, all of whom I know would have been at the funeral if not for travel or health challenges, among those delving deep into the bucket of beers for a cold one to combat Trevino’s very hot and spicy Tex-Mex food at the magnificent media barbecue which had Bob’s stamp for great hospitality ingrained into every taquito.
McDonnell said: “Bob laid out the blueprint for the way tournament golf should be organised and one that others have followed ever since. He will always deserve that credit.”
Bob knew how to host a party and his professionalism, reinforced by his highly sophisticated attention to detail, ensured that ‘his’ tournaments were always superbly organised for everyone attending – from the players to the fans to the golf writers – and, specifically for the Association, this meant highly-acclaimed press centres where the indomitable Richard Dodd, one of Bob’s closest confidants and an AGW Member from 1968 until he sadly passed away, was at the helm.
Margaret Dodd, Richard’s widow, was at the funeral – it was also good to see Paul ‘Tiny’ Dempster and John Pullen from Lee’s scoreboard team – which, coincidentally, took place at the start of the week of the Dubai Desert Classic – the 30th edition takes place next year. It was Bob’s vision and tenacity which massively laid the foundations to this tournament helping to trigger the global expansion of golf spearheaded by the European Tour ‘s Ken Schofield and George O’Grady with whom Bob worked so closely.
Schofield, Executive Director of the European Tour from 1975 to 2004 and recipient of the AGW Award for Outstanding Services to Golf in 2004, said: “I first encountered Bob some 40 years ago when he was the PGA Northern Region secretary during Colin Snape’s tenure at the helm.
“Colin choose wisely in hiring Bob, who immediately cut an impressive, knowledgeable and totally committed figure in terms of representing PGA members. Bob branched-out and with Gerry Connelly formed EGP, an entrepreneurial sports marketing company specialising most certainly in golf.
“The promotion of Lawrence Batley’s and Car Care Plan’s major events soon followed – managed with Bob’s unique care and passion – and then followed his long and successful relationship with the Dubai Desert Classic where he and Josie will be fondly remembered for as long as the event is played.
“They were halcyon days made more so by Bob and Josie Wilkinson, our friends and, indeed, friends of all in the game of golf.”
Mike Stewart, Senior Tournament Director, European Tour, and Tournament Director of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, said: “Bob’s input was massive and I doubt the Dubai Desert Classic would have developed so well and become what it is today without his careful guidance not to mention the contribution from his wife Josie.
“Bob’s steely determination to get things right coupled with a great work ethic helped him to deliver many memorable tournaments. He was passionate about what he did and cared so much about those around him as well as the tournament itself. I hope that others will remember and appreciate his significant contribution. For me the Dubai Desert Classic is synonymous with Bob Wilkinson.”
The Association’s membership has since its inception 80 years ago enjoyed many wonderful working relationships with tournament organisers but in my time few rivalled that enjoyed with Bob Wilkinson and Josie.
Josie laughed when we recalled at the Celebration of Bob’s Life following the funeral those very special times at the Dubai Desert Classic where Bob annually organised for the golf writers to go out on a luxury yacht when the fridges were packed with bottles of Dom Perignon not to mention lobsters and caviar……oh, and before setting off, waiters arrived with silver trays weighed-down with ‘proper’ Bloody Mary’s to help us get on-board.
I can see the smiling faces of good friends like Bill Blighton, Frank Clough, Dai Davies, Peter Dobereiner, Raymond Jacobs, Ron Moseley, Alister Nicol, Jack Statter, Ron Wills and Michael Williams, all sadly no longer with us, and, of course, that of Bob – there to wish us bon voyage!
Bon Voyage Bob! …MITCHELL PLATTS
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