Scotsman Sandy Jones, a key figure in the growth of the Ryder Cup into one of the world’s largest sporting events, died after a short illness. He was 75.
Appointed chief executive of the Professional Golfers’ Association of Great Britain and Ireland in 1991, Jones relocated to the organisation’s base at The Belfry in the English Midlands after an 11-year spell as the Scottish region secretary. In that new role, he oversaw profound change not just at the association but also across the sport.
His successor, Robert Maxfield, led the tributes last week. “Through his work with the Ryder Cup, the PGA World Alliance, and PGAs of Europe, he was a significant figure in the world of golf as well as in GB&I,†Maxfield said. “He was respected and admired by many. This is a sad day, and we owe him a huge debt of gratitude.â€
Guy Kinnings, the DP World Tour’s deputy chief executive, chief commercial officer and Ryder Cup director, added: “Sandy made a huge contribution to golf at all levels of the game. His passion for our sport was obvious to all of us who were fortunate to work closely with him. In terms of the Ryder Cup, he played an integral role in helping it become the global sporting occasion it is today.â€
Reflecting on the great changes in which Jones was involved, Richard Hills, the former Ryder Cup director, said: “He and I worked together with Ken (Schofield) and George (O’Grady) in the modernization of the Ryder Cup.â€
No less essentially, Jones also improved relations between the PGA and the then-European Tour, was a former president of the Golf Foundation and chairman of the Ryder Cup Development Trust, which directed revenues toward the development of the game.
In 2009, Jones was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Birmingham for outstanding services to sport and golf. It was an apt honour for a man who had driven the opening of the PGA’s National Golf Academy at The Belfry and, in conjunction with the university, created a foundation degree in professional golf studies and honours degree in applied golf management studies.
In his time at the PGA, he enjoyed two Ryder Cup matches at The Belfry but also was a proud Scot when the match was hosted near his second home in Gleneagles.
Remembering Jones’ personal qualities, former chief executive of the R&A Peter Dawson said: “Sandy was very experienced and always had a level head in a crisis. He was a delight to work with and always acted in the best interests of golf.â€
Matt Cooper
