Former Ryder Cup player Harry Bannerman, one of the leading Scottish professionals of the second half of the last century, retired from his work at the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre at the weekend.
Now in his 70s, Banchory-based Bannerman received a farewell gift from Robbie Stewart, PGA director of golf at the centre, who said: “It goes without saying Harry will be missed.
“He made a tremendous contribution in recent times to the success of the centre, much of which went unseen as he started work while most of us were still in bed. We wish him a long and very happy retirement.
“Professional golfers don’t ever completely retire though, as long as they can play golf and talk about golf they continue to work and we hope this is the case for Harry for many years ahead.”
Arguably the highlight of Bannerman’s career was holding the great American player Arnold Palmer, then in his prime, to a square match in the 1971 Ryder Cup match at St Louis, Missouri.
Bannerman beat Gardner Dickinson in his other singles tie and partnered Bernard Gallacher to victory against Billy Casper and Miller Barber.
Bannerman won the Scottish professional title at Montrose in 1967 and by a 10-shot runaway margin at Strathaven in 1972 and also won the Northern Open three times, in 1967, 1969 and 1972. A back problem which surfaced in 1973 virtually spelled the end of Bannerman’s career as a front-rank European Tour professional.
He did not join the paid ranks until late in 1965 when he was 23, but in only eight seasons he made a bigger mark on golfing history than many who competed for twice as long.
Bannerman, even though he was ignored by the Scottish Golf Union international selectors of the day, had a very good amateur career while playing out of Murcar and working full-time at Aberdeen’s Rowett Institute.
He was encouraged to turn professional, sponsored to the tune of £1,000 by Aberdeen businessmen, Hugh McMcDermott, Jack Hall and Bobby Morrison.
1971 was Bannerman’s best. He achieved six top-10 finishes on the European Tour and finished 11th behind Lee Trevino in the Open championship at Royal Birkdale.
Fourth in the Order of Merit, Bannerman gained automatic selection for the Great Britain and Ireland Ryder Cup team as it was then, captained by fellow Scot Eric Brown.
Although the United States won the match 16-11, rookie Bannerman was regarded as one of the big successes of the GB and I team which included players such as Tony Jacklin, Peter Oosterhuis, Neil Coles, Christy O’Conner and Brian Huggett.