LEGENDARY CADDIE 'TIP' ANDERSON DIES

THE US-based Professional Caddie Association (PCA) has expressed its ''deep sorrow'' over the sudden death of legendary St Andrews golf caddie, James 'Tip' Anderson

Dennis and Laura Cone, based at PCA Worldwide headquarters in Florida, spoke on behalf of 4000-plus members whom, they said, were ''deeply saddened'' by the news of Tip's death at his home in the town on Saturday. He was 71. Mr Cone added: ''He will be remembered with warm memories, especially how proud he was to receive his well-deserved place in the 2000 PCA Caddie Hall of Fame during a ceremony at that year's Open Championship in St Andrews. ''He represented what the classic loopers of the world are all about and was a true friend to the PCA and all caddies worldwide.'' Tip, who helped American stars Arnold Palmer and Tony Lema to win three Open Championships between them, was born and bred in St Andrews. His partnership and association for more than 30 years with USA golfing superstar, Palmer, was renowned and he was to share in many of Arnold's successes over the years since they first joined forces at the Centenary Open Championship in 1960, including when he won the Open at Birkdale in 1961 and again at Troon in 1962. At the 1964 Open in St Andrews, Palmer was unable to make the trip across the Atlantic and recommended Tip to his friend Tony "Champagne" Lema. The US golfer had never played the championship Old Course before and had only two practice rounds. However, with Tip at his side, he went on to win the coveted Claret Jug - and gave the St Andrews caddie much of the credit for his success. Tip, who said he was "blessed with a photographic mind for golf courses," was to go on to carry Palmer's bag at every Open Championship in which he competed. In a statement issued in the States, Palmer said: ''It is so sad to know that my old friend Tip Anderson is gone. ''Tip was the epitome of the 'Olde Worlde' caddie - a man of few words, wry Scottish wit, loyal, punctual and, of course, very good at what he did.'' Son of a well-known StAndrews caddie, he took a keen interest in the game from an early age and was a talented player as a young man. He won the St Andrews Boys' Open Championship in 1948 and completed a remarkable double by also collecting the Fife Boys' Championship title the same year. He was a former member of St Andrews Golf Club. After completing his education in the town's Burgh School, he went into the golf trade as a clubmaker with Tom Stewart of the famous Pipe brand. During his national service in the Army, he continued to play golf and secure titles, winning the Western Command Championship with a four-under par 70 at Formby and also taking the North-West District Army Championship title. He later returned to clubmaking before becoming a full-time caddie at St Andrews in the 1950s. His approach to any tournament as a caddie was as meticulous as the top professional players and he led the way for for many of the new breed of caddies. If the event was to be played at a course he did not know, he travelled there some days in advance to study the layout and troublespots before deciding how it should be played. He described the relationship between player and caddie as that of partners, rather than of master and servant. Tip held a number of honours during his career as a caddie and was elected Golf Caddie of the Year in the USA in 1965. At the Millennium Open Championship at St Andrews, he was inducted into the Professional Caddie Association's Hall of Fame during a special reception held in the Rusacks Hotel, overlooking the Old Course. During the presentation ceremony he was described as "a golfing legend" and warm tributes were paid to his skills as one of the world's best-known caddies. He is survived by his sons, Robert and James, daughter Carol, and grandchildren.

09 January 2004