Robert McCavery served Lahinch Golf Club in Co. Clare, for more than half a century and in doing so maintained a family connection with the club that began in 1927.
That was the year when his father, Bill, became the club’s head professional and helped Dr Alister MacKenzie, the designer of Augusta National, refashion the course.
Robert was born 14 years later and aside from playing golf at Lahinch as a youngster, he caddied for the members and visitors. He joined the PGA in 1959, the same year he began working for his father as an assistant, and was elected to Membership in 1964.
By then he had learned the art of club repair and club-making from his father and together they made woods from start to finish, beginning with shaping the wooden head and ending by affixing the grip. The advent of mass-produced factory-made clubs effectively killed the demand for such skills, however, but Robert continued to make wooden-shafted putters to sell in the Lahinch pro shop.
Lahinch was a popular destination for American golfers due to the MacKenzie connection and its reputation as the St Andrews of Ireland and Robert was tasked with playing with many of them. In addition, and when time allowed, he competed on the Irish circuit.
He succeeded his father as head professional in 1977 and remained in post until retiring in 2013. He had served Lahinch for 54 years and experienced many changes in the club pro’s role during that time. These ranged from the demise of the club-maker’s art to the worldwide growth of the game and golf tourism.
Robert was made an Honorary Life Member by Lahinch in 2014 and continued to visit the club on a regular basis following his retirement.
Paying tribute to Robert, Lahinch’s general manager, Paddy Keane, wrote: “He was a living link, a precious connection between the great origins of Lahinch and the characters that made it the much-loved club it remains today. A devoted family man, Robert was quiet, unassuming and generous who kept his own counsel; a true gentleman in every sense of the word. He will be deeply missed by his many friends and colleagues at Lahinch Golf Club and within the local community.”
Robert is survived by Anne, his wife, daughter Rachael and son Robert. The PGA extends heartfelt condolences to them and his other family members and friends on their loss.
