To the end, Raymond Jacobs, the former golf correspondent of The Herald who has sadly passed away, remained as sharp and observant as his writings of wisdom which graced these pages for almost 40 years.

While physically challenged over the last few months, Raymond’s presence of mind was undiminished and the recent visits I made to the Glasgow care home in which he was comfortably situated contained plenty of lively discussion on both golfing affairs of the day and the issues of the world at large. The radio remained an informative companion for Raymond. As did a copy of The Herald. A few bottles of his favourite red wine were within easy grasping distance too.

Raymond certainly enjoyed life’s little luxuries. When I popped in to see him on one occasion in the company of his great friend and colleague, the equally redoubtable Jock MacVicar, Raymond was not overly enamoured by Jock’s own declaration that he hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol for three days. “I admire your abstinence,” said Raymond with a dry, withering assessment which was delivered with a glint in those wise eyes. Suffice to say, Jock and myself soon retired to our favourite hostelry to indulge in a few robust gargles.

From the rarefied air of professional golf on the world stage to the lively cut-and-thrust of the domestic amateur game, Raymond straddled the scene like a colossus and his considered, informative, engaging and beautifully crafted copy provided readers with insight and illumination. Raymond retired from the full-time beat in 1996, an occasion which was marked by a torrent of tributes. “It appears I have outlasted you Raymond,” said the great Arnold Palmer at the time. “It has been a pleasure knowing you through golf. I have always had great respect for your ability and gentlemanly ways of doing your job.”

Palmer himself passed away a couple of months ago. In Raymond Jacobs, we have lost another golfing gentleman.

*A full appreciation will appear in The Herald at a later date.