Tributes have been paid to Jim Farmer, PGA Master Professional and former captain of The Professional Golfers' Association, who has died suddenly aged 76.
Farmer was known in his hometown of St Andrews as 'Mr Golf', although his reputation as a player, coach, businessman and director extended beyond the Home of Golf.
He succeeded another Scottish golf legend, the late John Panton, as Honorary Professional at the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and was honored by St Andrews University in a ceremony alongside Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and Padraig Harrington. He also ran Jim Farmer Golf on downtown Market Street for nearly 20 years.
From a PGA standpoint, he served on the Association's board and was Captain from 2009-2011. As a player, he won the 1983 Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship and represented Great Britain and Ireland in four PGA Cups. As Captain at K Club in 2005, he led the team to its first victory in 23 years.
“Jim's contribution to the PGA and the world of golf was matched by his physicality,” said PGA CEO Robert Maxfield. “He was a great person and his positive influence on many aspects of the game – as a player, coach and manager – was huge. Generous with his time, he has also been a wonderful ambassador for the PGA and his loss is incalculable. Our thoughts are with Denise, his wife and family at this very sad time.”
Born in St Andrews in 1948 and showing a keen interest and ability in various sports growing up, it was perhaps inevitable that Jim would become involved with golf at some point in his life. However, at first the task of the game seemed impossible as the ball was chosen first.
His ability as a center half saw Hearts pay £500 to sign him at the age of 17, but fate intervened in the form of a knee injury three years later. Although it marked the end of his football career, the door to golf opened when he joined Haig, whiskey distillers, working in the sales department.
Farmer continued to play the game after training sessions with Hearts and his new employers, who teamed up with another Scottish golfer, Ronnie Shade, to develop their Vat 69 brand, encouraged his interest and talent by giving him time off to play in tournaments.
Within a year he was representing Scotland as a rookie and won the Lytham Trophy, and the Leven Gold Medal. He followed up by turning pro in 1971.
Farmer had made his Open Championship debut the previous year, fittingly at St Andrews, and went on to compete in five more, including the 1977 tournament at Turnberry which culminated in a 'Duel in the Sun' involving Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus. Having made the cut, Farmer entered the final round in 19th place, and was 15th after six holes but fell to finish tied for 52nd place, three shots behind Tony Jacklin and many ahead of Sir Nick Faldo.
Other regular rivals included the likes of Neil Coles, Brian Huggett, Howard Clark and Tommy Horton and although Jim was successful on the newly formed Tartan Tour, leading the money list for seven seasons running, earning a living on the European Tour was difficult. As a result, he became head master at Drumpellier and, inspired by the work and lessons of John Jacobs, established himself as a gifted coach.
He was appointed coach of Scotland's youth teams and played a major role in the development of Andrew Coltart, Gary Orr, Gordon Brand Jnr, Stephen McAllister and Stephen Gallacher. He also coached McAllister on tour, as did Adam Hunter, Ross Drummond and Paul Lawrie.
Away from the practice field, pro shop, board room and tournament circuit, Farmer was cast as a golf director in two films, one directed by Jason Connery, Sean's son.
All of this added up to a job that was as satisfying as it was varied. Reflecting on this he said: “I was born in St Andrews and I live five miles away, it would probably be difficult if I didn't play golf. But the journey I've taken, from the Ryder Cups, I'm on the PGA board, I'm the PGA captain.
My big thing was getting the St Andrews University award with Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Padraig Harrington and Johann Rupert. To have breakfast with Palmer and discuss his career while Watson's bowling is what I talked to people about when I was national coach. Things like that you would never dream of. It's unbelievable, really.”
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