Tributes to a Yorkshire golf legend

BRADLEY HALL FOR 40 YEARS

ONE of West Yorkshire’s best-known golfers has died suddenly aged 73.

Peter Wood, head professional at Bradley Hall Golf Club, Holywell Green, Halifax, for almost 40 years, died at his home in Fixby in the early hours of Saturday, March 13.

He spent his entire career working in Yorkshire and was a well-respected figure among the golfing fraternity and served on a number of committees.

But there was no doubting his ability as a player.

Back in the summer of 1966 he attracted national attention when, aged 19, he led one of the most prestigious tournaments of the time, the Daks at Wentworth.

Born in the Princess Royal Hospital, Huddersfield, he was brought up in Milnsbridge and began his love affair with golf aged just eight.

Straight from school he spent a year at Crosland Heath Golf Club, Huddersfield, before learning his trade at nearby Woodsome Hall, Fenay Bridge, under the guidance of Charles Hughes, a future PGA Captain. For almost six years he remained there before leaving to become head professional at Silkstone Golf Club, Barnsley.

It was then that he made his final move when he took on a similar position at Bradley Hall where he spent nearly 40 years until his retirement in 2012. His wife, Debs, said: “It was such a shock, it came out of the blue.

“I started to do CPR and then the paramedics took over but nothing could be done to save his life.”

It is still unclear what the cause of death was, she said. The couple met at a dance in 1969 and Debs said: “I just melted and we got married in 1972 at Wyke Parish Church.

“We had golf clubs as a guard of honour and we got married on a Sunday as he was busy with his golfing duties on a Saturday – the busiest day of the week for him. He really was the perfect gentleman.”

Peter is survived by Debs, 72, son, Jason, a former PGA member who now lives in Australia, daughter Zoe and grandchildren eightyear-old Melissa and 11-year-old Eva.

Mr Wood’s funeral service will be held at Park Wood Crematorium, Elland, on Friday, April 9.

It is hoped that the hearse will circle Bradley Hall Golf Club beforehand, in recognition of his nearly four decades spent there.

We had golf clubs as a guard of honour and got married on a Sunday as he had golfing duties

on a Saturday