FORMERmer Scottish Ryder Cup golfer Laurie Ayton died yesterday in St

Andrews.

Just short of his 75th birthday he was a respected and prominent

figure in golfing circles, following in the footsteps of his late

father.

Laurie held several golf professional posts in Britain including

Worthing, and Highgate Golf Clubs before returning to St Andrews to

retire several years ago.

He represented Great Britain and Ireland against the USA in the Ryder

Cup in 1949 and over the years was a regular competitor in the Open

Championship.

Only recently he was made an honorary member of the St Andrews Golf

Club where as a teenager he had the distinction of winning both the

junior and senior club championships -- in the same year.