Among the colorful characters that make up this great game, rules official John Paramor and former college golf coach and mental coach Glen Albaugh left their mark within their specific niche. Paramor and Albaugh both died in recent days.
Paramor, long-time chief referee on what is now called the DP World Tour, has died at the age of 67 from cancer. He joined what was then the European Tour in 1976 and retired in October 2020 after the BMW PGA Championship.
“One of the all-time best rules officials,” said Tiger Woods. “John was around when I first turned pro and had been a staple obviously on the European Tour and all the World Golf Championships, when he came over here and was a rules official. Just a great guy. I’m a little bit taken back by that.”
So sad to hear about John Paramor’s death. A great man and good friend to myself and many #golf journalists. My knowledge of the rules was much improved because of him. He always answered my questions with patience and understanding. RIP JP
— Alistair Tait 🏴🇨🇦🇺🇦 (@GolfTait) February 17, 2023
DP World Tour chief Keith Pelley praised Paramor in a statement: “I said in 2020 that ‘legend’ is a word used too often in sport but in terms of golf, and the administration of the rules of our sport, it perfectly describes John Paramor. Quite simply, he was a leader in his field, the guru of referees and someone who commanded the absolute respect of the players and of his peers,” Pelley said. “He was a big character in all senses—his physical stature, his stature in the game and his popularity with anyone who shared a dinner or a social occasion with him. He had a strong personality but had passion for his job and the Tour as a whole which shone through whenever you spoke with him.”
Very sad day for golf, one of @DPWorldTour ‘s best left us today.
RIP Big John. 😢 pic.twitter.com/rG8O7oj1oW— Gonzalo Fdez-Castaño (@gfcgolf) February 17, 2023
“I was quite surprised, I didn’t know he was sick, so it came as a shock to me and it’s very sad for everyone,” 2019 British Open champion Shane Lowry said. “To be honest, I wish John would have been out there today, the pace of play might have been a bit better. He was always a great man at keeping the pace of play going well.”
Added Englishman Tommy Fleetwood: “He was a great person to be around, represented our tour proudly and had the respect of all the players.”
John Paramor, chief…
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