The European Tour today pays tribute to one of the true ‘characters’ on Tour – Scotsman Brian McFeat, who sadly died at the weekend.
Born in Banff, Scotland, on April 30, 1951, Brian left school and joined the British Army as a chef, serving during the Falklands war before returning to his homeland to work on the oil rigs in Scotland’s north sea.
He became a part of The European Tour in the 1980s, when he started the ‘bag run’ between tournaments, a service aimed at cutting airlines’ prohibitive excess baggage costs to players by transporting golf clubs and equipment by van between events in Europe.
He also caddied on Tour for many years, working for, among others, Angel Cabrera, David Drysdale, Marc Farry, Miguel Angel Jiménez, Olle Karlsson, Miguel Angel Martin, Francesco Molinari and Eduardo Romero to earn the nickname ‘the Ginger Trolley’ (in reference to his distinctive strawberry blonde hair), which would later become ‘Sergeant Mackie’ as he organised the ‘bag-run’ all over the continent.
The highlight of Brian’s caddying career came at the Home of Golf in the year 2000 as he helped Martin and the Spanish Team win the Dunhill Cup at St Andrews, while the highlights of his driving career were available on a weekly basis for those lucky enough to meet him after a long drive between Tour destinations.
There will long be a collective giggle among The European Tour family of players, caddies and officials as they recall Brian’s tales of "mental cases" on the roads, as well as his universally known hatred of sat nav. “Ye cannae trust they machines,” he would say with a distinctive Scottish growl. Not many would argue.
Whatever role Brian was undertaking, he always had a cheeky grin and even cheekier riposte to anyone (sat navs included!) bold enough to take him on in debate over any subject imaginable. His people skills, characterised by a wonderfully brutal and warm honesty, will long be celebrated and revered: Brian didn’t suffer fools but he also had a soft spot for any ‘character’ not unlike himself who could give him a run for his money in a lively chat over a quiet pint or two.
It was last Friday that Brian set off on his latest drive, heading south with his van to spend the night in his favourite pub, The Sun Inn in Windlesham, Surrey, just a few miles from The European Tour’s Wentworth headquarters, before embarking on his latest bag run.
After a few quiet drinks with his friends whom he had known from decades of staying in the rooms above the pub, Brian called it a night, saying that he would have a lie-in on the Saturday morning in order to catch up on some sleep after his long drive. He passed away peacefully that night.
The shock of Brian’s passing was felt instantly on Tour, with tributes quickly appearing on social media.
Molinari, for whom Brian was his first caddie on Tour, said on Twitter: “Sad to hear about Brian McFeat, my first caddie on tour who died earlier today. One of the familiar faces on European Tour, he'll be missed!”
Nicolas Colsaerts took to Facebook to express his sadness. He wrote: “Sad to hear the passing of the One & Only Brian McFeat, a real character, one of the guys that made everyday life on The European Tour what it is....... I have known Brian since my first day on Tour and will miss our weekly 5 min chats from now on. Thx for all u have done my friend.”
Gerry Byrne, former Chairman of The European Tour Caddies’ Association and a long-time friend who joined Brian on many a ‘bag run’, said: “It’s been a tough few days for so many caddies, players and officials on Tour because Brian’s passing has obviously come as a massive shock.
“He was a huge character on the Tour, loved by most and feared by players. He talked to the players in a way that most caddies can only dream about and that’s because his personality was so strong and he also spoke a lot of sense and was always honest with them.
“Most of the rest of us would be sacked for saying some of the things he said to the players, but then that’s what made him so special – he touched the lives of a lot of people and will be truly missed on tour.”
David Garland, Director of Operations for The European Tour and a man who had known Brian for over 20 years, said: “I think I speak on behalf of every staff member of The European Tour when I say that Brian will be truly missed. It’s difficult to imagine life on Tour without Brian as he was such an integral part of it for such a long period of time. Our thoughts are with his friends and family during this very difficult time.”
Details of Brian’s funeral will be posted when they become available.
