Remembering Former Greenkeeper Joe Nisbet

The Club is very saddened to announce that one of our former greenkeepers Joe Nisbet passed away on Tuesday, at the age of 87.

‘Wee Joe’ was a very popular member of the greenkeeping team throughout the 90s, having joined initially as a seasonal worker after retiring from his previous job as a shepherd. He started full-time at the club in 1992, and was a great mentor to the young apprentices at the time (including Stevie Borthwick) under the leadership of head greenkeeper Donald Menzies, alongside his companion Johnny Robertson. Never shy to offer an opinion on any subject, he loved a debate and a story from yesteryear, and kept the greenkeepers bothy entertained with his impressive array of Frank Sinatra songs, always fancying himself as performing artist on the big stage.

He was an active member of the Club and the BIGGA greenkeeper competitions, playing almost every Saturday morning until his recent ill health, and always had a word of advice or wisdom for the current greenkeeping team and his fellow members. Very much a family man and a dapper gentleman, he was very proud of the achievements of his two sons, and enjoyed regular travels with his wife, sampling the odd dram and glass of red wine around Europe.

He will be sadly missed by many and our sympathies go to his family at this sad time.

RIP Joe. A great character...