David Melling died last week aged 77 following a short illness and was best known locally for being the head pro at Crompton and Royton Golf Club for 38 years.
He was the club’s head pro between 1972 and 2010, before being made a Life Member upon his retirement.
David was the pro at Crompton and Royton Golf Club for nearly 40 years(Image: Submitted)
In a post on the club’s Facebook page, Crompton and Royton Golf Club described David’s death as “sad news”, adding: “Everyone at the club passes on our wishes and love during this difficult time for all connected to the Melling family.”
Many people paid tribute to David in the comments, with one describing him as a “lovely bloke”, while another said he was “always good company”.
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Another commented by saying: “[David] had me in stitches more than once with his stories when I worked there.”
David was an accomplished player, once touring South Africa and later winning multiple Lancashire Order of Merit pro-am events in the UK and abroad.
David with one of the many awards he scooped up(Image: Submitted)
He won both of the Lancashire PGA Strokeplay and Matchplay titles and served as the Chairman of the Lancashire PGA for many years.
David won a sports car for a hole in one at Mere Golf Club, Cheshire, in the late 1970s when his pulled iron shot ricocheted off a tree and dropped into the hole, with the car used by the family in the years that followed.
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His twin brother, Michael, was the pro at Barnsley Golf Club and the pair were once dubbed the best lightweight golfers in Britain, with David being awarded the Coca-Cola Young Professional of the Year Award.
David leaves behind a strong golfing legacy courtesy of his son and grandson(Image: Submitted)
David will be best remembered in golfing circles for his teaching style and for introducing hundreds of new players to the game of golf.
The Melling’s strong golfing legacy continues today as David’s son Gary is the current Club Champion at Crompton and Royton golf club, while his grandson Daniel has played 34 times for Lancashire Boys.
David’s connections with Oldham remain strong as his step-son Chris Riley is the manager of the award winning Fox and Pine pub in Oldham town centre.