Ian Richardson (1946 – 2025)

Ian Richardson, who has passed away at the age of 78, represented Great Britain and Ireland in the PGA Cup, was a European Tour member and won once on the European Seniors Tour.

Born in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, Ian was elected to PGA Membership in 1963 and served several clubs during a career that spanned 52 years, starting at Harborne Golf Club in Birmingham. He followed up with spells at the now defunct Tolladine Golf Club, Worcester, Worcestershire Golf and Country Club, and spent 13 years at Burghley Park, Lincolnshire until 2010.

Ian’s prowess as a player was recognised with selection for the 1975 PGA Cup team that, captained by Christy O’Connor Senior, was defeated by the USA at Hillside Golf Club, Southport, in what was the first encounter to be staged in Great Britain and Ireland.

The highlight of his playing career, however, came within a year of him becoming eligible to play on the European Seniors Tour when he won the Motor Seniors Classic at the Marriott Goodwood Park in 1997. That success, plus finishing fifth and 15th respectively in the Jersey Seniors Open and Senior British Open, contributed to him ending the season in 10th place in the Order of Merit. Further top 10 finishes followed when Ian was runner up in the 1998 De Vere Hotels Seniors Classic and fourth in the TotalFina Elf Seniors Open two years later.

Thereafter Ian concentrated on his role at Burghley Park before founding Flying Golfer Holidays in 2010 and retiring in 2015.

Ian is survived by Christine, his wife, and sons Mark and Carl. The PGA extends sincere condolences to them on their loss.