Mike Skerritt, a PGA Honorary Member described as ‘having the good of Walmley Golf Club and the pleasure of its members at heart’ has passed away at the age of 95.
Mike served Walmley for 22 years prior to his retirement in 1997 and his stay there was the last of a trio of stints at clubs in north Warwickshire that spanned more than three decades.
Prior to making his home in England, Mike had been born and raised in Lahinch, County Clare, Ireland. One of 11 children, he and his six brothers became accomplished golfers.
Two of his siblings, Austin and Paddy, were the pros at Rosslare and St Anne’s, Dublin, respectively; Peter, by contrast, remained an amateur, played off scratch and, a member of Walmley, proved a formidable opponent at club and county level.
Mike began his career in England as an assistant to Jack Cawsey at Pype Hayes, Birmingham, and followed up with five years as head professional at Atherstone Golf Club, Warwickshire.
He moved on to nearby Nuneaton Golf Club in 1969, the same year he was elected to PGA Membership, and spent a decade there before joining Walmley in the spring of 1979.
He won the club’s annual pro-am the following year and there were further successes away from home, including a record-breaking round of 68 at Copt Heath and two triumphs in the Midlands Seniors.
Away from the course, Mike (pictured below right with former WBA footballer and Walmley Golf Club captain Ray Wilson) proved a major influence in the life of former PGA Midland Region Secretary Lawrie Thornton.
“Mike was on the committee when I was interviewed for the job as the region’s secretary in 1984,” Thornton recalled.
“By the time I started in October, we had moved from Leicester and, looking for a golf club where our boys could get to on their bikes, the Walmley option looked best, and Mike immediately set about making sure we got in.
“Mike was part of the biggest ‘sliding doors’ moment of the Thornton family lives and for that, we owe him massively.
“We remained in regular contact since his retirement and winning the Dads’ Army Mike Skerritt Trophy in 2011 meant more to me than winning the club championship may have done. To me, Mike was a very special man.”
Mike retired at the age of 70 because he wanted to play golf for fun as opposed to a job.
“That was the way he had always played it – with evident enjoyment,” records the history of Walmley Golf Club, which was written to commemorate its centenary in 2002.
“He enjoyed it; and those playing with him enjoyed it, whatever their handicap, whatever their skill. He was a very good club pro: he had at heart the good of the club and the pleasure of its members.”
Several events were staged to mark Mike’s retirement, including a testimonial pro-am supported by 35 other pros including his brothers Austin and Paddy.
Mike is survived by his wife Pat, son Sean and daughter Nicola. The PGA extends heartfelt condolences to them and his other family members and friends.
*Mike’s funeral will take place at 10.15 on July 14 at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Rye Piece Ringway, Bedworth, CV12 8JH. It will be followed by cremation at the Heart of England Crematorium, Eastboro Way, Nuneaton, CV11 6WZ, and a reception at Novotel, Wilsons Lane, Longford, Coventry CV6 6HL.
Flowers can be sent to Heart of England Co-Op funeral directors Bedworth and the family would be delighted to see some of Mike’s long-standing friends.
