George Bayley, who died on Friday 14 January, was 78 years old. George worked as a Sports reporter, most recently working freelance for BBC Radio Sport until he was 70. He covered international golf and local football from the North-East.
George was a marvelous broadcaster who invented his own style of golf commentary on radio - and was known as 'Whispering George' throughout golfing circles.
His most memorable moment before his retirement came covering the famous Ryder Cup win in Oak Hill in 1995. George covered the winning putt of Philip Walton's against Jay Haas for a European win by 14 1/2 to 13 1/2.
His comment before the putt was something on the lines of 'If he holes this putt they won't need Concorde to fly them home, they'll be flying themselves ' . This was one of George's proudest career moments and he talked about it for years afterwards.
George retired from broadcasting after the 1997 Ryder Cup in Valderrama....after uttering the immortal words; "I know we are supposed to be impartial - but WE'VE won the Ryder Cup!"
Since his retirement George spent his time between Spain and his local Golf Club in Ponteland , Newcastle. George leaves a wife, three children and four grandchildren.
George O’Grady, Executive Director of The European Tour, said: “George was a great friend to golf, a larger than life character, and will be sadly missed.”
