Burch Riber, who has died, aged 87, was a wonderful friend to The European Tour for many years through his development of the World Cup of Golf and support of the Ryder Cup.
Renton Laidlaw, the respected television commentator, former President and Chairman of the Association of Golf Writers and a close friend to Burch, led the tributes: “International businessman Burch Riber, although based in America, was a popular entrepreneur for the European Tour. He loved golf and especially his trans-Atlantic friendships with members of the Association of Golf Writers. Golf was as important to him in his business dealings as was his passionate enjoyment of horse racing in his leisure time.
“Burch lived life to the full. He was a true-blue enthusiast whose glass was always half full. His extrovert character and friendly personality ensured that anyone fortunate to know and work with him enjoyed the experience. Like so many of his colleagues and friends I shall miss him deeply.”
Burch’s role as Executive Director of the International Golf Association, the organisers of the World Cup of Golf, ran from 1985 to 1999 at venues in Australia, China, Italy, Malaysia, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Spain, South Africa, South America and the United States. In fact, he managed professional golf tournaments on every continent bar one.
A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, he initially worked for Taft Broadcasting during which time he was proud to become in 1973 the first administrator to organise a professional golf tournament in ‘his’ City – the Ohio Kings Island Open – where he went on to run tournaments for 27 years with the LPGA Championship and the Kroger Senior Open. He was also the General Manager of the Jack Nicklaus Golf Centre, and his friendship with Jack lasted a lifetime.
Burch became a familiar figure on The European Tour after he introduced Pfizer, the research-based global pharmaceutical company, as a Ryder Cup sponsor starting with the delayed 34th edition at The Belfry in 2002. The Riber Sports Marketing Group, the company he founded in 1983, co-ordinated the Pfizer Healthcare Units which initially in 2001 greatly enhanced the tented villages at numerous Tour venues and proved a massive success offering valuable advice to players, public, officials and media.
Burch leaves a wife, Charlotte, two daughters, Susie and Connie, and a son, Sam, the President of the Riber Sports Marketing Group.
