Sad passing of a Randpark golf legend
IT HAS been an emotional and deeply sad time at Randpark Golf Club this week following the passing on Monday of their energetic, inspirational and extremely popular CEO Doug Bain.
Just 42, he died on Monday after a brave fight against cancer, and leaves behind his wife Desiree and two young sons, Joshua and Jonathan.
“Duggie was extremely well loved and respected. He managed a team of about 180 staff and we are all devastated. Doug was a model CEO! He treated each and every staff member with respect, and was always willing to assist and coach a staff member when needed,” said Randpark’s marketing manager Tilani Edwards.
Bill Swailes, president of Central Gauteng golf, said: “We in golf have lost an icon of our industry. On behalf of our 34 golf clubs and 24 400 affiliated golfers, our Executive and staff we wish to express our sincere condolences to Desiree and the boys.
“Duggie’s peers held him in such high regard that they twice voted him Club Manager of the Year. This is no surprise since in the eight years he spent at Randpark he developed a formidable management team who keep churning out exceptional results year after year.
“Doug loved golf especially match play and showed a great appreciation for course design that offered enjoyment as well as a challenge to the golfer. Together with Sean Quinn of Golf Data he managed the upgrade and renaming of the two courses at Randpark having re-launched the old Windsor course in 2012, today known as Bushwillow and what a success story that has turned out to be. “The revamp of the new Firethorn course is well under way to be ready by March 2015. The new layout was Duggie’s vision and he passionately soldiered on to achieve it regardless of his illness.”
Beryl Acres, general manager of the Club Management Association of SA, said: Doug was an active committee member of CMASA for the last four years, serving as vice-chairman for two. His passion and wise counsel were well received. We will carry fond memories of him, many over a glass of wine after a meeting, where he was more often than not the ‘joker’ of the group.”
Doug Bain was a visionary who made Randpark one of the most successful clubs in the country. He was also one of life’s great gentlemen who smiled and laughed a lot and loved people as well as golf.