Dave Renwick, one of Scotland’s best known and successful caddies, has died at the age of 62 after losing his battle with cancer.
The East Calder man, who served an apprenticeship as an electrician and worked on the oil rigs of the north east and Angola before travelling the globe as a bagman, enjoyed five major winning moments with three different golfers during a colourful, eventful career.
Renwick, known as ‘Buddy’ to all and sundry on the tour, had stints with Anders Forsbrand and Bernard Gallacher before eventually striking golfing gold with Jose Maria Olazabal. In their first week together, the Scottish-Spanish alliance won the 1986 European Masters in Switzerland.
Eight years later, in 1994, Renwick was by Olazabal’s side when the Spaniard won the Masters at Augusta. The relationship between the pair was fiery, though, and after a number of heated exchanges, Renwick quit. “There’s a balance to be struck between making good money and taking someone’s crap,” the tough, uncompromising Scotsman once said.
He didn’t have to wait long for further success, however, and in 1995 his new employer, Steve Elkington, won the US PGA Championship at Riviera, beating Renwick’s fellow Scot, Colin Montgomerie, in a play-off.
After undergoing eye surgery, Renwick’s next job was on the bag of the hard-working Fijian, Vijay Singh, and the duo struck up a highly profitable partnership as Singh won the US PGA Championship in 1998 and 2004 with a Masters win in 2000 sandwiched in between.
A number of players took to social media this morning to pay tribute to Renwick while black ribbons were being worn during the Dubai Desert Classic as a mark of respect.
Very sad to hear of Davy renwick passing , great guy great caddie RIP my friend
— Paul Lawrie (@PaulLawriegolf) February 4, 2016
Sad loss today of a great caddy Dave Renwick RIP my friend.
— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) February 4, 2016
RIP Dave Renwick, we play with a heavy heart today but his memory will live on. A true legend of Scottish golf gone but not forgotten 😞😥
— Marc Warren (@MarcWarrenGolf) February 4, 2016
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