Obituary - Chuck Hay, world curling champion

Died: August 4, 2017

CHARLES "Chuck" Hay, who has died aged 87, following a period of illness, was a champion curler, Scotland’s first world champion, and arguably the most influential figure in the history of the Roaring Game in its home country.

He was Scotland's first world champion skip, when he led his team of lead David Howie, second Alan Glen and third John Bryden from the Kilgraston and Moncrieffe Curling Club to victory in the championships, on home ice at Perth in 1967.

The event was then for the Scotch Cup, and the win was a case of third time lucky for the Perth-based rink; Hay had previously been runner-up in 1963 and 1966 and would be again when defending his title in 1968.

But his contribution to Scottish and world curling went further. Although he did not originate it, he was the first player to bring the now universal sliding delivery to Scotland, and, even after his competitive career ended, he continued as an influential coach, journalist and administrator, with both the Royal Caledonian Curling Club – he was president in 1977-78, the year he was awarded the MBE for his services to his sport, and world curling.

His influence continued through the generations. His son David was in the second Scottish team to win the World Championship, as a member of the victorious David Smith-skipped team in 1991, while another of his sons, Mike, was also a Scottish champion, World Championship competitor and a long-standing Winter Olympics coach.

Of farming stock, Chuck Hay was the third generation of Hays to farm Easter Rhynd Farm, near Bridge of Earn - his son David and grand-son Finlay now run the business. In his youth he played rugby, as a versatile forward, for Perthshire, and for the Midlands District XV. He was also a member, and indeed captained, the Co-optimists, Scotland's leading invitation club in a playing career which lasted from 1948 to 1962.

He then became North and Midlands selector, a referee and, at the time of his death he was honorary president of Perthshire. Chuck also golfed, off a handicap of six, was an accomplished squash player and a keen shot.

He started curling in 1954 and just two years later, playing third to skip John Bryden; he was a member of the winning rink in the Perth Farmers competition. After this, there was no going back – he won the Perth Open, then the de facto Scottish Championship, five times and was almost unbeatable on the Perth rink. Indeed, he chaired the Perth Ice Rink Company for over 20 years.

One win and three second places in five tilts at the World Championship is a proud record, while he became immensely popular in Switzerland when, after winning his third Dolly Cup and being given permanent ownership of the trophy, he handed it back for continuous competition.

In the 1960s, skip Ernie Richardson and his Regina, Saskatchewan-based rink revolutionised championship curling – carrying all before them with their attacking play. Hay decided, if he could not beat them, he had to join them, by imitating their style of play, something he accomplished to great effect.

In 1974, when the RCCC decided to initiate a coaching scheme, Chuck Hay was the obvious man to run it as Scotland's first national coach. He then became the club's representative on the World Curling Federation, with whom he was a distinguished chief umpire at many World Championships and Junior World Championships bonspeils.

In 1979 he received the Elmer Freytag Award, only the second recipient and the first Scot. This led to his induction into the World Curling Federation Hall of Fame.

He travelled widely to promote curling and for pleasure with the Scottish Rotary group, and was perhaps as well-known in Canada as in his native Scotland; he was also an influential speaker.

On news of his death, the World Curling Federation called Hay a hero of the ice. "His legacy in the sport runs deep," said the federation. "In addition to his contribution as a pioneer of international curling competition, he contributed to the sport as a coach, journalist and administrator, holding offices in the Royal Caledonian Curling Club and in the organisation of the World Curling Championships. In 2016, he contributed to the World Curling Federation’s 50th Anniversary book."

World Curling Federation president, Kate Caithness, said: “On behalf of the World Curling Federation and the curling community in Scotland and the world at large, it is with deep sadness, that I express our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Chuck. Chuck was instrumental in the early days of the Scotch Cup and establishing the roots of the international competition our sport enjoys so widely today. He will be sorely missed."

In his travels his wife Norah was a close companion. Norah survives him with their four sons – David, Mike, Sandy and Grahame.

MATT VALLANCE