Former Ryder Cup player and English golf course designer Dave Thomas passed away this Tuesday in Spain -where he lived- at the age of 79. A two-time British Open runner-up, he designed 14 golf courses in Spain, including six in Andalusia: Marbella Club, San Roque Old, Alcaidesa Heathland, Almenara, La Cañada and Playa Serena.
After arthritis brought a premature end to his professional playing career, Thomas immersed himself in his other great passion: golf course design. Together with Peter Alliss, he designed the famous Brabazon course in Belfry, which among other tournaments hosted the Ryder Cup in 1985, 1989, 1993 and 2002.
In his playing career, Thomas went on to win twelve professional tournaments and twice finished second in the prestigious British Open, in 1958 and 1966, in addition to a fifth and eighth place finishes in 1957 and 1962.
He lived his best moments as a professional in the 50’s and until 1960. He took part in 19 Grand Slam tournaments and represented the European team in the Ryder Cup in 1959, 1963, 1965 and 1967, besides having eleven appearances in the World Cup of golf representing the Welsh Country (1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1970).
As a designer Thomas signed more than 100 courses around the world. In Spain his signature is on Lorca Golf Resorts, Son Parc, Abama, Centro Nacional del Golf, Roda Golf, Hacienda del Álamo, Altorreal, Marbella Club, La Cañada, La Manga Oeste, El Brull, Playa Serena, San Roque, Alcaidesa and Almenara.
Thomas had been living on the Costa del Sol for many years.
In the photograph, Dave Thomas with Juan Quirós and José María Cañizares at an event held in Alcaidesa.
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