British amateur golf legend Peter McEvoy, who captured two Amateur Championships and made history at The Masters, has died at 72.
McEvoy’s journey in golf started as a kid in Scotland, where he first picked up clubs with his dad. After moving to England’s West Midlands at age 10, he found his home at Copt Heath Golf Club – a place that would help launch an incredible amateur career.
He dominated the amateur scene in the late 1970s, winning back-to-back Amateur Championships in 1977 and 1978.
But it was at The Masters where McEvoy really turned heads. In 1978, he became the first British amateur ever to make the cut at Augusta National, finishing 58th.
His performances at The Open were even more impressive. After missing the cut in his 1976 debut, he bounced back to claim low amateur honors twice – finishing 39th at St Andrews and an remarkable 17th at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
McEvoy was absolutely dominant in team golf. He played 153 matches for England over 16 years, winning 103 of them. That’s a winning percentage most pros would envy.
The Walker Cup became his playground. He played in it five times and later captained Great Britain and Ireland to victory in both 1999 and 2001.
“We have lost one of our heroes,” said England Golf Chief Executive Jeremy Tomlinson. “Peter was an incredible amateur golfer in so many regards – as a player, a teammate, a Captain and then supporting inspiration to worldwide golf.”
Unlike many top amateurs, McEvoy never turned pro. Instead, he poured his energy into growing the game, getting involved in course design and serving as Chairman of The R&A Selection Committee.
His contributions to golf were recognized with an OBE in 2003, and earlier this year, he was inducted into the England Golf Hall of Fame.
Mark Darbon, Chief Executive of The R&A, summed up McEvoy’s impact: “Peter was dedicated to the amateur game, choosing not to turn professional, and will be widely missed across the golf world.”
He’s survived by his family, who received condolences from across the golf world. His legacy lives on through the countless players he inspired and the courses he helped design.
