‘Legendary’ amateur golfer Brian Grieve

Tributes have been paid to amateur golfer Brian Grieve, who died at the Cornhill Macmillan Centre in Perth after a short illness. He was 76.

Brian was arguably the most successful golfer in the history of Perth and Kinross County Golf, amassing a wealth of titles as a long-time member of the King James VI and Blairgowrie golf clubs.

Brian was proud to have represented Scotland Seniors, enjoying success in the Home Internationals and on the European stage.

He amassed nearly 40 club championships, stroke-play and match-play titles at the Island course, between 1969 and 2001.

At Blairgowrie, his name is engraved on three club championships and four senior titles.

Brian won the county match-play and stroke-play championships on three occasions; was Champion of Champions six times; and also captured the Perth City Championship on six occasions.

During a remarkable playing career, Brian held six course records, including King James VI and Blairgowrie’s Lansdowne course.

In all, he won 38 Open and 44 Senior Open titles.

Charlie Gallagher, past president of Perth and Kinross County Golf, said: “Brian was always a great competitor on the golf course and arguably the best match-play golfer the county has ever produced. His record is quite remarkable.

“Brian was a great servant to county golf, not only as a player but in his roles as an executive member, team captain, vice-president and president.

“And I know how proud Brian was when he represented Scotland after stepping up to the senior ranks.”

David Angus, King James VI captain, said: “Brian is a true club legend and will be sorely missed by us all.

“He joined the Island at the age of 13 and went on to win 113 trophies over five decades. That is a record which is unlikely to be surpassed.

“Brian had a fantastic career in amateur golf and we were honoured to have a Scottish internationalist in our midst.”

A Blairgowrie Golf Club spokesman said: “Members will be saddened to hear of the death of Brian, who was a long-standing member of the club who won multiple county, club and senior championships, and once held the Lansdowne course record.”

Brian played an integral role in the Scottish Seniors Golfing Society, and SSGS president and founder Gordon Macdonald joined in the tributes.

“Brian supported the SSGS events for many years and will be sadly missed. Our thoughts are with his family,” he said.

“He was rewarded for his fine golf by gaining international honours for Senior Scotland, and was a member of the six-man 2006 European Team that won the Gold Medal at the European Team Championships at Ruuhikoski GC in Finland.

“Brian was also a member of the seven-man team that won the 2006 Senior Home Internationals at Dunbar GC.”

Born in the Fair City, Brian attended Perth Academy before going on to an accounting career with Dewar’s and Diageo.

A keen traveller, after taking early retirement he enjoyed cruising and winter golf trips to New Zealand with his wife Kathleen.

Brian was predeceased

by his first wife, Phyllis, and is survived by their daughter Lorraine. He enjoyed family life with Kathleen, stepchildren Michael and Lorraine, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The funeral, being held under Covid-19 restrictions, takes place on Wednesday at 10.30am.

TRIBUTES: Brian Grieve.