Irish legend passes away

Links with the past are being constantly broken and the chain has again been weakened with the death of former Royal Portrush club professional Dai Stevenson, who was called to his Eternal Rest at the weekend and has now been buried in his native Portrush.

David Anthony Stevenson was born in February 1935. Like father, like son, he followed in the footsteps of his dad, PG Stevenson, moving into golf and training under him at Royal Portrush.

Dai qualified and was elected to the PGA on July 16, 1956. He took over as club pro at Massereene in 1964 but his dream was always to return to ‘The Port’, which he did in January 1977 when his father retired. The Royal Portrush people had no hesitation in appointing Dai to continue the Stevenson line.

A rather quiet but very friendly man, Dai continued with his father’s good work at Royal Portrush until he retired in 1999 and handed over the keys of the professional’s shop to former Irish Amateur Close champion, turned pro, Gary McNeill who remains there today.

The late Dai was Captain of the PGA Irish Region in 1983 and he was elected an Honorary Life Member of the Professional Golfers’ Association.

During his spells at both Massereene and Royal Portrush, Dai saw many young members mature into adulthood and also mature as golfers. Notable among these are Jimmy Heggarty, the 1975 North of Ireland Amateur Champion who is now playing the European PGA Seniors’ circuit, and former US Open Champion Graeme McDowell.

Dai Stevenson’s life was dedicated to his club members. In his younger days he did play in Irish tournaments but his first duty, he felt, was to his club job which he carried out efficiently and in a friendly atmosphere.

The family plan to donate all proceeds raised at the funeral to the PGA Benevolent Fund.