Colin Gillies, the PGA in Scotland Tartan Tour’s all-time leading money-winner who twice won the Scottish PGA Championship, has passed away at the age of 58.
Colin turned professional after winning the Scottish Boys’ Championship at Dunbar in 1984 and spent the following 27 seasons on the Tartan Tour, winning more than £500,000 in prize money.
He also competed on the DP World Tour, earning in the region of £50,000 from 30 appearances. However, according to three-time Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher, Colin’s love of Scotland curtailed his participation at the elite level.
Gallacher, who employed Colin when he was the head PGA Professional at Wentworth, recalled: “He was one of my best assistants. He was an excellent player, and all the members liked him.
“In fact, one member wanted to sponsor him on Tour, but he declined because he missed home too much and went back to Scotland.”
The then European Tour’s loss proved the Tartan Tour’s gain as Colin clocked up a remarkable 125 victories, a tally that included the Scottish PGA Championship in 1995 and 1998.
The first of those was achieved at Dalmahoy when Colin finished a shot clear of Andrew Coltart, the second followed at Newmachar where he was two shots ahead of Alan Tait.
Those two victories contributed to Colin’s total of 11 in Order of Merit events although, perhaps surprisingly, he only topped the Order of Merit once – in 2001. In doing so, his seasonal earnings of £41,590 set a record that has only been surpassed once, by Chris Doak in 2009.
Invariably those successes were achieved in tandem with Colin’s trademark friendliness and good humour on and off the course.
“He was an outstanding player, but it was his kind personality and character that made the biggest impression on me personally,” said David Longmuir, PGA in Scotland manager.
“He was proud to be a PGA Member, and he made so many friends on and off the course. He made such an impact on the PGA Tartan Tour but even more of an impact on the people he played and worked with.”
Those included PGA in Scotland staff when, following his retirement from playing competitively, Colin was employed as a Tournament Controller in 2018 and 2019.
“It was privilege to have him as a colleague here at The PGA in Scotland,” Longmuir added. “Everyone at the PGA in Scotland is saddened to hear of Colin’s passing.”
Jason Boyd, the head PGA Professional at Montrose Golf Club, also highlighted Colin’s friendly demeanour in paying tribute.
“I knew Colin personally for many years, and during my time at Lenzie and Montrose, he was always top-notch in the events he competed in, winning on more than one occasion,” he said.
“The teams he played with would often request to have him on their team, and he always had a kind word to share. A legend of the Tartan Tour and will be sadly missed by many. “
Craig Ronald, the 2004 Scottish PGA champion, added: “Colin was a good friend, and we shared many good times representing the PGA of Scotland in team events.
“He had a great sense of humour and was an unbelievable player, hence why he is still the highest ever earner on the Tartan Tour.”
That record still stands 13 years after Colin wound down his playing career due to niggling back injuries. He finally stopped playing competitively in 2016 and roles with the PGA in Scotland, Affordable Golf in East Kilbride and Fairways Golf Studio in his hometown of Falkirk followed.
Increasing ill health prompted Colin to retire as a PGA Member in 2023 and lower the curtain on a professional career that, beginning at Wentworth, embraced spells at Macrahanish, Falkirk Carmuirs, Glenbervie, Westerwood, West Lothian, Drumpellier, Brucefields, Braid Hills, Kingsfield, Playsport Golf, Perry Golf, JJB Sports and American Golf.
“Significantly, although he never remained in one place for a long period, he often returned for a second, or even third time,” reflected Roy Murray, a PGA in Scotland tournament controller who worked alongside Colin.
“He was highly regarded everywhere he worked and a professional in every sense of the word. Colin was a true gentleman on and off the course who will be sadly missed.”
