On 12 October, Hong Kong lost one of its true golfing greats. Alan Sutcliffe, a life member of the Hong Kong Golf Club and the club's captain in 1986, passed peacefully at the China Coast Community home in Kowloon Tong after being diagnosed with lung cancer at the end of 2014. He was 86.
Uncle Al, as he was known to his friends, was not only a fine player during his prime - he won numerous titles, including the Hong Kong Open Amateur Championship, and represented Hong Kong with distinction for many years - he was also instrumental in the formation of both the Hong Kong Open in 1959 and the Hong Kong Golf Association in 1968. Alan was also part of the Hong Kong side that won the first ever Putra Cup in 1961.
Alan joined the Hong Kong Golf Club in 1954 and Fanling become virtually his second home. Even when he wasn't playing, he could be seen following the action of an event and cheering on the players.
"Alan served as the club’s captain in 1986 and contributed greatly to every aspect of the club’s development over the last 61 years as a committeeman and a source of encouragement and inspiration to golfers of all ages," said Ian Gardner, General Manager of the Hong Kong Golf Club. "In 2011, the club recognised his many contributions by awarding him life membership.
"Uncle Al was a gentleman to the core; a highly respected and well loved member of this club who will be sorely missed by his many friends and the staff of the Hong Kong Golf Club.”
I can only agree. In my position as editor of this magazine I was fortunate enough to meet with Uncle Al many times over the past decade. He was always extremely courteous and generous with his time – and a huge help to me on a professional level.
We met quite often at either Fanling or the Kowloon Bowling Green Club in Jordan, where he was also a member, where I would quiz him about Hong Kong golfing history. Alan had a remarkable memory, even in his very latter years, and was able to recall events that took place many decades ago with astonishing clarity. I enjoyed these times with Alan greatly, and I can honestly say that he was one of the friendliest and most amusing people I have come across in over a decade of covering golf. He'll be missed by a great many.
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