Shropshire golf mourns the loss of Geoff Roberts
Tributes have been paid to former Shropshire golf president Geoff Roberts, who has died aged 83.
Roberts, who was a well-known and respected figure on the county circuit, passed away on Tuesday morning.
He was president of the Shropshire and Herefordshire Union in 1995 and 1996, county captain in 1973 and 1974 and a member of Oswestry Golf Club for 50 years.
Current president of the Shropshire Union, Peter Turner, said: "I had known Geoff for about 25 years.
"He was a well respected golfer, a very good county golfer who played for many years.
"Geoff was extremely competitive. He didn't like to lose to anyone, yet he was a real character and great to play with.
"He was forthright and a very good man to have on your side. He will be greatly missed."
After joining Oswestry in 1965, Roberts enjoyed numerous successes on the amateur scene, winning the County Open Championships in 1967 and 1968 and the County Match Championships in 1969.
He then went on to lift the Jeffrey Clee Salver twice with his close friend and fellow Oswestry member, Doug Humphreys, in 1971 and 1974, and figured in the same county side as former Open and US Masters champion Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam, who also won the Masters.
Oswestry secretary John Evans said: "Geoff was a star member of the club for 50 years. He was incredibly friendly and a very talented golfer."
Former president and secretary of the union, Bob Davies, added: "Geoff was a very respected and long serving member of the union golf clubs.
"Geoff was everybody's friend. He was extremely competitive but he recognised competitiveness in others, he liked to see other players who were competitive.
"Geoff will be missed by a lot of people. He was an established and talented golfer known to many people in the Midlands."
