Peter McEvoy dead at 72: Amateur golfer who made the Masters cut dies after long battle with cancer

TRIBUTES have poured in for Peter McEvoy who tragically passed away after a long battle with cancer, aged 72.

The golf legend was the first amateur Brit to make the cut at the Masters.

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Jim Holtgieve of the United States and Peter McEvoy of England past captains posed together at the Opening Ceremony for the 2015 Walker Cup Match[/caption]

AP:Associated Press

Walker Cup captain Peter McEvoy lead his team to back to back cups at Ocean Forest Golf Club on Sea Island in 2001[/caption]

The Londoner previously made history in the non-paid ranks.

He later went on to be an inspirational captain in the Walker Cup.

Mark Darbon, the R&A chief executive, paid tribute to McEvoy as one of amateur golf’s “most respected figures”.

“Peter was an outstanding amateur golfer and enjoyed an illustrious career, including his two victories in the Amateur Championship and success in the Walker Cup,” Darbon added.

“He also worked so hard to develop the game as an administrator and help provide opportunities for aspiring players. Peter was dedicated to the amateur game, choosing not to turn professional, and will be widely missed across the golf world.”

Continuing his career in the non-paid game, McEvoy inspired members of the younger generation.

The leading amateur was also a golf course designer, administrator and writer.

After winning The Amateur Championship in consecutive years from 1977, he went on to play five Eisenhower Trophy teams.

McEvoy was on the winning Walker Cup team – the amateur equivalent of the Ryder Cup – in 1989 at Peachtree Golf Club in Atlanta.

He went unbeaten in each of the first three sessions as the visitors built a crucial 11-5 advantage over the United States.

McEvoy inspired GB&I to a convincing win before going on to become chairman of the R&A’s select committee.

He was later awarded an OBE in 2003 for his services to golf.

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Peter McEvoy after winning the 38th Walker Cup match played at the Ocean Forest Golf Club on Sea Island[/caption]