The golfing world has been saddened by the death (June 4th, 2020) of respected golf writer and historian Dale Concannon at the age of 61.
A former PGA professional, who competed up until 1984 and taught the game in England, Germany, USA and France, Dale passed away on June 4 after losing his battle with a brain tumour.
Close friend and fellow golf writer Alistair Tait said: “Dale was a constant presence in the press rooms over the years and enjoyed a long relationship with many golf writers, players and officials.
“Many Association of Golf Writers’ members considered Dale a close friend. Although he was never an AGW member, he was a valued member of the golf writing fraternity.”
After turning his hand to journalism, Dale became one of the game’s foremost authorities on golf antiques and collectibles.
He had a passion for collecting old clubs, books, artefacts and memorabilia. He wrote extensively on the subject for various golf magazines, including Golf Monthly and Golf World.
He penned many books, including a biography of Sir Nick Faldo entitled Driven: The Definitive Biography of Nick Faldo. He also penned Golfing Bygones, Golf: The Early Days, From Tee to Green, The Round of My Life, Golf: A Photographic History and Wise Words for Golfers.
“First and foremost, Dale was a lovely man and I always enjoyed spending time in his company in a media centre,” said Martin Dempster, chairman of the Association of Golf Writers.
“The news of his passing is very sad indeed, though his name will live on in golf through the superb publications bearing his name.”
As an expert in this field, Dale also served as chief consultant for the Golf & Old Golf Images Photographic Archives, one of the finest collections of pre-1980 imagery in private hands.
He was also a valuation expert for rare and unusual golf memorabilia, boasting a worldwide clientele.
“The golf world lost one of its family in Dale Concannon,” said Paul McGinley, the 2014 Ryder Cup-winning captain. “As an ex player himself, he used this perspective to write well on the game and, among other things, summed up Nick Faldo’s career with the aptly-titled biography he wrote on his career, ‘Driven’.
“He illustrated his unique love of all things golf and his passion for our game by building up a private archive of golfing memorabilia and photos unlikely to be matched anywhere in the world.
“He was always a friendly face, well known and respected, not just among his peers in the media but with the often-prickly and sometimes difficult group, us players on tour.
“RIP Dale and thank you for the efforts and love you showed the game and people in it. Those efforts will always live on through your excellent books and publications.”
Dale is survived by his wife Laura, his father Austin and brother Karl.
EULOGY – Matthew Harris – 17th June, 2020
Hello everyone, I’d like to thank you all – that in these testing times, you are here with us today ……….. to celebrate the life and times of my very good friend – Dale Concannon. I’d like to take this opportunity, on behalf of Laura Concannon, to extend her special thanks to former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley, the European Tour, the Association of Golf Writers and all Dale’s close friends that have reached out at this near impossible time for her – ‘ THANK you all SO much.’
In the late 70’s Dale was an assistant golf pro to European Tour player Doug McClelland, who vividly recalls young Concannon as “ upbeat, joyful and a confident young man who was excellent with both members and visitors alike.” Given the hundreds of assistants Doug had over the years, it was quite a feat to leave such a lasting impression with him. When I first met Dale in 1998, through the late golf photographer Phil Sheldon at Wentworth, I too soon discovered these qualities together with warm, inquisitive, engaging, funny and as I was to discover – competitive !
From time to time I would be with Dale when he was ‘ nose to the ground like a blood hound ’ in search of his passion for seeking and finding anything relating to golf memorabilia, old clubs, golf films and golfing postcards – how many times I’d find myself saying to him at postcard fairs – haven’t you bought enough of those now ! He collected all kinds of things, trains, books, paintings even once an E Type Jaguar – but it was his world renowned collection of old golf photographs – from the very beginnings of photography – that he became so well known for and associated with. As I got to know Dale, I realised he led quite a nomadic life – I did nearly manage once, on a visit to the Middle East, to get him into an Arab dish dash – apologies I’ve no pictures here of that to show you ! ……. having lived in Germany for a period, at numerous hotels and B & B’s around Britain writing his twenty plus golf books and articles …. he never the less was always pleased to get back to his parents Tilda and Austin at their home in Norton Lindsey. He was devastated about losing his Mother recently, Tilda had been such great support to him
throughout his life …. and he to her.
People in golf talk about their “ dream Four Ball “ – what I do know is that on this front Dale’s will be Old Tom Morris, Young Tom Morris,Walter Hagen & Bobby Jones – he will not be playing; but walking with this esteemed group up there, chatting about all those historic times they were a part of – then adding some exclusive detail to his never ending golf timeline, once they all come off the course in the sky. I shall miss our meandering conversations about many things, his ability to listen carefully when I was up against a problem or tricky situation, but most of all I’ll miss not being able to go on another of our golf road trips to Scotland or where ever we would have gone. We never knew what we were going to experience and encounter, but each evening on the road always provided the fondest memories of conversation ………
Thank you Dale …. for being there …. RIP my friend.
Finally, I do have a message from Dale to Laura : “ ………. you are the love of my life, dear, sweetest Laura. We have many moments we spent together to treasure … and I’ll be there for you every step of the way ….. in spirit, my love ….. it was was a joy and an honour to be able to call you “ my wife “ ……Love Always, Dale.
By: Matthew Harris / Dornoch / Scotland 16th June 2020
FOOTNOTE –
Also, with the great help of Paul McGinley, the European Tour paid tribute to Dale. Please click on:-
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