His was an immediately recognisable voice – his simple ‘on the tee’ message making him a household name. Ivor Robson, the ‘Voice of The Open’ for five decades, has died at the age of 83.
The official starter of the game’s oldest major for 41 years, and also the European Tour’s starter for a similar period, his distinctive tones rang out at golf courses all across the globe.
Robson retired eight years ago, following the The Open at St Andrews in 2015, with his last tournament being the season-ending DP World Tour event in Dubai that November.
Martin Slumbers, chief executive of The R&A, said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of Ivor’s passing. As official starter at The Open for over 40 years, his voice was instantly recognisable and synonymous with the Championship for players and millions of golf fans worldwide.
“He was popular and well respected among all golfers who played in The Open and I know that they will share in our sadness at this news. On behalf of all of us at The R&A, I would like to convey our heartfelt condolences to his wife of 61 years, Lesley, and the Robson family.”
‘Ivor Robson was a legend of the game’
Players at this week’s Andalucia Masters, on the DP World Tour, will be given the chance to wear a black ribbon as a mark of respect.
Chief executive Keith Pelley said: “Ivor was a legend of the game and greatly respected by all those who had the pleasure to work alongside him.
“His iconic voice became a fixture of European golf. I know his passing is deeply felt by his former colleagues at the Tour and the many thousands of professional golfers who were warmly greeted by Ivor across five decades.
“Our condolences go to his wife Lesley and the whole Robson family at this difficult time.”
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Robson’s Open career began at Carnoustie in 1975 – a championship memorable for a playoff between Jack Newton and Tom Watson, who prevailed to win his first Claret Jug.
A former club professional, he had joined golf shaft firm Accles & Pollock, who then supplied the starter.
“No one ever told me what was required,” he told Today’s Golfer last year. “But my thinking was that players don’t want to hear a biography. They want to get off the tee quickly.
“So I just kept it simple by saying, ‘This is game number… so and so’. I did the same spiel for so long that people started to imitate me.”
From Carnoustie, his brilliant vocation saw him send off all the world’s best from the 1st tee – from Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, to Seve Ballesteros, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. In total, he announced 18,988 players at the event.
His stamina and concentration were legendary. Not only did he never miss an Open, he was known for not touching any liquid from 7pm the night before.
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Avoiding toilet breaks at all cost, Robson estimated he would lose around a stone at each championship.
Speaking following his last Open, the Moffat resident said: “I feel you can’t go on forever and if you’re going to step off there’s no better place to do it than here. I’ve had some nice ones but this is special, St Andrews. It is just magnificent.”
Looking back to his career, he added: “It is a great honour to be the official starter for the greatest championship in the world. I’m privileged and immensely proud. They were all very special.”
What are your favourite memories of Ivor Robson? Let me know by leaving a comment on X.
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Picture: The R&A
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