Golfers from across the amateur and professional game gathered in Durham to bid farewell to Tom Flowers.
They joined Tom’s family at the funeral service at St Mary Magdalene Church, Belmont with members of Tom’s clubs – Brancepeth Castle and Ramside Hall – alongside members of the Durham County executive and NE/NW PGA. Tom had served each organisation during a decorated career in North East golf.
Tom, who was 71, was a competent and competitive player in his younger days, and a member at Brancepeth Castle – where he had served as captain and chairman.
He was instrumental in establishing the Leonard Crawley Medal at Brancepeth Castle in his year of captaincy, 1985, and it remains a popular event.
A great supporter of golf in the North, Tom worked tirelessly to develop the Brancepeth course and he was made an honorary member of the club six years ago. He was captain of the Durham County Golf Union from 1996-99, and served as county president in 2003-4.
He followed Ray Sentence as secretary of the NE/NW PGA, continuing Ray’s success in providing a full programme of tournaments and pro ams throughout the year for local professionals.
Northern Golfer’s Alan Hedley, who has covered golf for more than 30 years and worked with Tom regularly, said: “In my time as golf correspondent for the Chronicle, Journal and Sunday Sun, and with Northern Golfer, Tom was unfailingly helpful, cheerful and excellent company. We will all miss him.”
