Ivor (*83*) graced first tee packing containers at the Open Championship for greater than 4 a long time.
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One of golf’s most iconic voices has gone quiet.
Ivor (*83*), the famed voice of the Open Championship’s first tee field for greater than 4 a long time, has died at 83. The R&A introduced the information on Tuesday morning, welcoming in a rush of help from golf followers and golfers who’ve acknowledged his dulcet tones because the soundtrack of Open Championships previous.
(*83*) leaves behind a legacy as maybe the best first-tee announcer within the sport’s historical past, his 41-year run at the Open endearing him to golf followers a number of generations over for his distinctive inflection and taciturn self-seriousness.
“We are deeply saddened to hear of Ivor’s passing,” Martin Slumbers, the CEO of the R&A, mentioned in a launch. “As official starter at the Open for over 40 years, his voice was instantly recognizable and synonymous with the Championship for players and millions of golf fans worldwide.”
Those who knew him finest, together with gamers and long-time R&A staffers, keep in mind a person who by no means missed a second of labor — not one — at Opens starting in 1975 and ending in 2015. In an indication of his dedication to the occasion and his job, (*83*) famously didn’t eat or drink an oz. of sustenance throughout play, opting as a substitute for a sandwich and a glass of mineral water upon the completion of play every day in order to not be distracted by toilet breaks. As Rick Reilly wrote in a 1999 Sports Illustrated piece, (*83*) frequently misplaced “about a stone,” or roughly 14 kilos, throughout Open play.
“This is the greatest job in the world, and I give it the ultimate respect,” (*83*) advised SI then.
(*83*), a longtime resident of Moffat, Scotland, was maniacal about all points of the job — which required he work for roughly 10 hours every event day with out sitting, taking a break, consuming or utilizing the lavatory — however no factor was extra essential than the artwork of the pronunciation. As a first-tee announcer, Ivor was tasked with presenting every of the Open’s 156 opponents, a job that always meant working with opponents in these important jiffy earlier than their tee instances to make sure he had mastered the right pronunciation. As golfers greater than a era over can attest, (*83*) commanded an unwavering presence and spectacular precision from the lectern, irrespective of how tough the title.
(*83*) retired from his Open put up in 2015, the 144th at St. Andrews additionally serving as his remaining championship in entrance of the microphone.
“To the professionals, it has been great fun being here with you,” he mentioned from the Old Course then. “We have had lots of banter and it has been wonderful. You are a credit to the professional game.”
Asked for his secret to 4 a long time of excellence, (*83*) answered merely.
“I love this job,” he mentioned. “I absolutely love it.”
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