The Wiltshire County Golf Union would like to recognise the huge contribution made to golf in the County by John Sullivan of Marlborough, who died last Saturday and would like to take this opportunity to express sincere condolences to John's wife Vicky.
John was a former professional golfer who moved to Marlborough in 1970 joining the club of which he was to be Captain, Chairman and General Manager until ill health forced his retirement.
He was instrumental in setting up the Wiltshire League and the very successful Marlborough Pro Am tournament and he continued to play golf to a very high standard throughout his life.
An obituary appeared in the Wiltshire Gazette and Herald which sums up John's achievements and is reprinted here.
John Sullivan
8:48am Thursday 14th April 2011
Golf club stalwart John Sullivan died on Saturday at his home in Marlborough, a few yards from his beloved golf course, three years after being told he had a brain tumour.
Mr Sullivan, 67, was employed as general manager of the Marlborough club for ten years, having served as captain and chairman.
He had lived in Marlborough since 1970 and died at his home in Kingsbury Street with his wife Vicky at his bedside.
A funeral and thanksgiving service will be held on Monday, at 12.30pm in St Mary’s Church and there will be a private family committal and cremation at Thatcham.
In lieu of flowers his family has asked for donations to the to the Samantha Dixon Brain Tumour Trust or the Prospect Hospice, care of funeral directors Thomas Free and Sons, The Parade, Marlborough.
Mr Sullivan is survived by his wife, one brother and one sister.
Mr Sullivan, who was born and brought up in the Nottingham suburb of Wollaton Park, lived just along the road from the girl who became his wife in September 1970.
“We lived next door but two and we knew each other for more than 50 years” said Mrs Sullivan who added that her husband has been well enough to enjoy their Ruby wedding anniversary last September.
He joined Boots the Chemist as a buyer straight from school in Nottingham.
While working for Boots he took a business management course and later joined Rousel Pharmaceutical Laboratories in London before the company transferred to Swindon. He later changed careers and joined Tekprint Ltd to promote their business.
Mr Sullivan was an accomplished sportsman excelling in athletics, football, rugby, cricket and squash.
He was no slouch as a snooker player either.
At the age of 19 he took up golf and within three years became a scratch amateur golfer. He represented Nottinghamshire on many occasions and for a period of 20 months played the professional circuit.
After moving south, he joined Marlborough Golf Club, becoming its captain in 1977 and its chairman in 1984 in addition to serving on many of the golf club committees.
In 1978 Mr Sullivan started the Marlborough Pro Am Tournament, which became known as the best in the west.
He was involved in the club’s expansion from nine to 18 holes in 1974 and played a prominent role in the development of the club’s revolutionary three-tier clubhouse in l988, the club’s centenary year.
Mrs Sullivan said her husband was devoted to the golf club. She added: “To many people he was Marlborough Golf Club.”
A former MGC captain Ernie Newell said: “He was one the nicest chaps I have ever had the pleasure of knowing and he played an enormous part in the development of the club for more than three decades.”
Mr Sullivan was diagnosed with incurable leukaemia ten years ago and the brain tumour developed in 2008. It caused paralysis and loss of speech. His wife said: “ He never once complained. He took it on the chin – hey ho let’s get on with it."