Ten years since passing of Largs golf coach legend

Bob Torrance, regarded as a giant of golf coaching around the world, died aged 82 on July 18, 2014, with his passing leaving a gaping hole in the town.

Son Sam Torrance tweeted the news: “Sad day - my dad just passed away in his sleep #reallygoingtomisshim."

Bob died on the second day of the 2014 Open at Royal Liverpool, where several of the players he had coached over the years were competing for the Claret Jug.

The young Sam Torrance perfected his craft under the charge of his father at Routenburn Golf Club in Largs.

One of Bob’s top pupils, Padraig Harrington, led the tributes in 2014.

He said: “He was the greatest golf coach in the world and he was a father figure to me after my own dad passed away.

Bob Torrance and son Sam met the News for an interview in 1998 at Inverclyde Sports Centre. (Image: Newsquest)

"Every single player he worked with was a ball striker and they won tournaments.

"My majors would never have happened without Bob. Not a chance. He was absolutely a critical part of me winning major tournaments.

“It is kind of appropriate that he died during the Open Championship. He loved his golf and worked with anybody on the range from dawn till dusk.”

Bob's obsession with golf started as a teenager over the spectacular, hilly Routenburn course.

At just 19 he was a scratch golfer, and in 1953 he witnessed the American legend Ben Hogan winning the British Open at Carnoustie.

That was to have a great influence on his life as a golf coach.

The Largs man turned professional as assistant at Largs Golf Club, and at the age of 20 got a post at Rossendale in Lancashire before returning as pro to Routenburn, where son Sam was to hone his game on the way to becoming one of the world’s top golfers.

Speaking to journalist Graham Spiers on BBC Radio Scotland's The Golf Show in 2013, Bob said: "I remember in my early days playing with my brother-in-law, who had just got a new Dunlop 65 and cut it away into the big rough.

"And I walked straight to it.

"He said 'you have a great eye for this game'. He gave me a one iron and believe it or not I nailed it straight on the green - and that was me hooked.

"I then studied everybody and all the great players.”

Friend of the stars: Bob Torrance with James Bond star Sean Connery and friends. (Image: Newsquest)
Bob continued: “You can’t be a successful businessman unless you work at it. You can’t be a successful sportsman unless you work at it.

"There are some people that have more aptitude for the game, but golf is a not a natural game, and you have to work really hard at it.

“You have got to work, and listen. I have never had one golf pupil who has disagreed with what I told them to do.”

Many top golfing professionals from around the globe left tributes following Bob's passing.

Irishman Darren Clarke, who won the 2011 Open and was a member of the European team in five consecutive Ryder Cups before being appointed captain in 2016, said: “I spent many, many days and hours with Bob up on the range up in Largs.

"Bob was a very, very special man. I would not be the golfer that I am without his help.

"He will be sadly missed on the turf and he was a great character."

Sandy Lyle added; “Very sad to hear Bob has passed away. I will miss his deep voice - ‘That was your best swing yet’. June and Sam, my thoughts are with you.”

Ian Poulter said: “This is really sad news. An amazing man who coached so many great players. He will be missed.”

Paul Lawrie added: “Mega sad to hear the news of Bob passing away - what a character he was.”

Lee Westwood said: “I am really sorry to hear about Bob - We are all going to miss him.”

Sergio Garcia said: “Very sad to hear the passing of the true golf coaching legend Bob Torrance.”

Many professionals wore black armbands at that year's Open after learning of Bob's death.