Shocking news was what awaited the golf world as they woke up on October 16, 2023! Ivor Robson, nicknamed the ‘voice of The Open’, had passed away the previous day at 83. His life and career, meanwhile, were filled with admiration from the best golfers in the world, all thanks to his famous words and hearty grin. Curiosity then naturally arises about the man who even Tiger Woods thanked for making each of his Open starts so memorable!

Robson started his job as the major championship’s official first tee starter back in the 1975 Open. He spent 41 years standing at a lectern near the first tee every round of the championship to introduce each player. “On the tee,..” the announcer would start off in his slightly high-pitched voice whenever the first athlete starts. And this voice would remain in the community’s hearts even after his retirement in 2015, as can be seen by the recent tweet by the major.

Ivor Robson was born on September 10, 1940. He was a golfer himself and used to compete on the Scottish Pro Tour in the 1960s and 79s before working as a club professional in Scotland. His change in destiny came when the golf shaft company that hired the Open Championship’s starters invited the athlete to perform the role at Carnoustie, Scotland. Since then, he has carried out the same at other links courses as well during the major, including St. Andrews, Turnberry, Royal Birkdale, and Muirfield.

That’s not all. He also acted as the official starter for the European circuit for over 40 years, using his iconic “On the Tee” message. “Nobody told me how to do it,” divulged the late Mr. Robson in an interview with Bunkered, “I just had to work it out for myself when I started in 1975. ‘What do I do here?’ Just keep it simple, where are they from, the name of the player, and let them go.”

The veteran starter endured the heat, chill, and rain in the comfort (or discomfort) of his blazer and tie for more than four decades. His voice was remembered by many, as per Mike Tirico, an NBC sportscaster. “That smile in his eyes and that lilt in his voice — was unmistakable. If you mentioned his name to a player, they’d imitate how he pronounced their names, with his inflections.” He sure did leave a mark in the history of the sport, so much so that many golfers came forward to pay tribute to his passing.

Golfers react to Ivor Robson’s passing in 2023

“We are deeply saddened to hear of Ivor’s passing,” said R&A CEO Martin Slumbers following the tragic news, “He was popular and well respected among all golfers who played in The Open and I know that they will share in our sadness at this news.” Well, they didn’t disappoint, as many, including the likes of Tiger Woods, Gary Player, Ian Poulter, and Luke Donald, among others, expressed their grief at his passing.

His relationships with these athletes arose from the fact that he would often chat with them before they teed off for the event. And when his final Open came in 2015 at St. Andrews, 5-time champ Tom Watson (who also played his final Open back then) presented him with an 18th green flag with the message, “We have traveled this long road together. All the best in your retirement.” Well, many would surely agree with Poulter’s message when the iconic starter passed away, “You sadly have left us today but your voice and happiness hasn’t!”