Stalwart Nairn Dunbar head greenkeeper Derek Roy has retired from the North East links after almost half a century.
The club, where Tour players Russell Knox and Kelsey MacDonald are members, has heaped praise on Roy’s remarkable service as he prepares to officially retire at the end of this month.
The 64-year-old has tended to the championship links at the Highland venue since he started as an apprentice greenkeeper in 1967. He worked under Bob Mackintosh for six months, before Donald Mackintosh took on the role from 1967 to 1972 after which Roy took over.
Richard Johnstone is now set to take over as Golf Course Manager, having been deputy head greenkeeper for the last five years and on the links as a greenkeeper for 15 years in total.
The 33-year-old, a one-handicapper, said: “Without a doubt, Derek has been a great mentor to me over the last 15 years, providing me with the tools and knowledge to develop into the Golf Course Manager I have become. I wish him all the best in his well-earned retirement.”
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