Obituary: Alan Sutcliffe, 1929-2015

Hong Kong golf mourns death of a true legend and absolute gentleman.

Alan Sutcliffe, 1929-2015

1929-2015: stalwart of local game played in the inaugural Hong Kong Open in 1959 and contributed to the development of the sport

HONG KONG, 13 Oct 2015, (HK Golfer News Wire) - Alan Sutcliffe, a true doyen of local golf who took part in the inaugural Hong Kong Open in 1959, passed away on Monday morning. He was 86.

Sutcliffe - fondly known as Uncle Al and a founder of the Open and the Hong Kong Golf Association (HKGA) - had been suffering from lung cancer, which was diagnosed last year.

"Uncle Al was an absolute gentleman right until the very end when even this [Monday] morning, he refused to be taken to the hospital in his pyjamas,” god-daughter Christine Smith-Mann said in a Facebook post.

Sutcliffe was one of the top local amateurs in the 1950s and 1960s and was part of Hong Kong’s winning Putra Cup team in 1961.

"The Hong Kong Golf Association is deeply saddened by the news that Alan Sutcliffe has passed away,” said HKGA chief executive Tom Phillips. “Uncle Al was a huge part of golf in Hong Kong throughout many years ... in the founding of the Hong Kong Open in 1959 and then, in 1968, the establishment of the HKGA to assist in the running of the championship.

"As a player, Alan enjoyed much success for Hong Kong, winning many tournaments and representing Hong Kong on numerous occasions. Among these, he was crowned Hong Kong Open Amateur Champion in 1959 and was also a member of Hong Kong’s first ever Putra Cup winning side in 1961. And even when he wasn’t playing, Alan remained a strong supporter of Hong Kong golf.

"Rarely would a tournament take place at Fanling without Alan there to follow the action and cheer on the players. Alan will be greatly missed by the Hong Kong Golf Association and everyone associated with golf in Hong Kong.”

Sutcliffe joined the Hong Kong Golf Club in 1954 and it had become virtually his second home since.

Its chief executive, Ian Gardner, said: “His list of honours as a player is lengthy, but it was what he gave back to the game and to the club that endeared him to his many friends and fellow club members.

"Alan joined the Hong Kong Golf Club in October 1954 soon after arriving in Hong Kong and quickly established a reputation for being one of the top amateur golfers.

"He served as the club’s captain in 1986 and contributed greatly to every aspect of the club’s development over the last 61 years as a committeeman and a source of encouragement and inspiration to golfers of all ages. In 2011, the club recognised his many contributions by awarding him life membership.

"Uncle Al was a gentleman to the core; a highly respected and well loved member of this club who will be sorely missed by his many friends and the staff of the Hong Kong Golf Club.”

Alex Jenkins, editor of the HK Golfer, said: “It’s no exaggeration to say that Alan Sutcliffe was a Hong Kong golfing legend, not just for his achievements, which were vast, but for his sheer love of the game - it was very much part of his fabric.

"I only got to know him after his playing days were behind him but he was one of the friendliest and most amusing people I have come across in over a decade covering the sport. He’ll be missed by a great many.”