Jim Arthur 1921-2005

Jim Arthur 1921-2005

Press Release

Jim Arthur B.Sc. (Agric.) passed away at 2 pm on Saturday 14th May. He was 84 years old and had recently been diagnosed as having cancer. Jim Arthur was appointed an advisor to STRI as long ago as 1947 and had acted as the R&A's agronomist since 1971.

He wrote many articles and books including Practical Greenkeeping, which was published by the R&A in 1997. During his long career Jim Arthur was an adviser to more than 550 golf clubs in Britain and Europe. He had a reputation for plain-speaking and his consistent theme was that the traditional methods are the most simple and most effective, both in terms of condition and cost.

His most recent article appeared only a few days ago on the website of BIGGA. http://www.bigga.org.uk/greenkeeper/viewnews.php?id=468 and ends with these words:

Why can some people not leave well alone? If it isn't broke don't try and fix it. All the basic principles are constantly attacked often for blatant commercial reasons, yet they do work, give better results and cost so much less.

Comment from Brian D Pierson, Golf Course Contractor.

I first met the Great Man almost 40 years ago as a young Contractor, I made the mistake of underestimating the complexity of the work, Jims words have remained with me ever since - "as a golf course builder you can only aspire to be the best of a bad bunch".

Jim was a one off, consistent in his belief in "traditional" Green keeping never afraid to give sound advice even when people did not wish to hear it, controversial but almost always right. I believe he was the "Conscience of Golf"; and will be sorely missed; fortunately his life's work will live on.

It was an honour and a privilege to have known and worked with him.