Former Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley and 12-time European Tour winner Ian Poulter led the tributes to the legendary European Tour caddie Ian James Rae, better known as Edinburgh Jimmy, who died on Thursday January 2, aged 64.
Rae was a popular character on the European Tour for more than two decades, having caddied for much of McGinley's career. He also carried the bag for Poulter, Mark Roe and Robert Lee, among many others.
McGinley said: "I have lost not just my longtime caddie but a great friend too. He started to work for me in 1992 and never once did he ever turn up unshaven, not freshly clothed or in bad humour. Above all I witnessed the trait of eternal loyalty from him - always in your corner even if he would never admit it! He had a wisecrack for everybody and was an important part of our player/caddy dynamic inside the team room at the Ryder Cup in Gleneagles, as he kept the mood light and fun for all of us.”
Poulter spoke of his admiration of Rae extensively in his book 'No Limits', writing: "You have to like your caddie, and I liked Jimmy. He was on the bag for my first three years on the European Tour and he is probably the most generous, kind-hearted person I have ever met. He'd give you his last ten pounds. That's why people love him."
McGinley and Poulter were among the many players to pay their tributes to Rae on Twitter:
Such a sad start to 2020. One of Europeantour’s characters. Heavy Head as he always called me. James Rae (Edinburgh Jimmy) has past away. What a gentle giant. His bark was louder than his bite. One of the kindest caddy’s I have ever met #RIP 🏴🥃 You will be missed. pic.twitter.com/HO03maX0jH
— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) January 3, 2020
Very sad news to start the new year in that my longtime friend and caddy Edinburgh Jimmy passed away today - I’m so sad and will miss him terribly pic.twitter.com/rZ8J05DpJj
— Paul McGinley (@mcginleygolf) January 2, 2020
Waking up to the sad news that the golfing family has lost one of it’s great characters. Edinburgh Jimmy is a man I’ll remember so fondly. As a young pro he was the scariest man I had ever met! Getting to know him he was the kindest with a wicked sense of humour. RIP my friend
— Thomas Bjorn (@thomasbjorngolf) January 3, 2020
Really sorry to hear that, thoughts with his family. What a character, fortunate to have him caddie for me last year at Muirfield 4 hours of laughs. #edinburghjimmy #rip https://t.co/0aElKKwa14
— Richie Ramsay (@RamsayGolf) January 2, 2020
It is sad news indeed. I don't know why but Edinburgh Jimmy took charge of my game a few times over the years. Got me over the line with my only win on the European Tour at the Czech Open. It was 25 years ago but I can remember him taking charge that week like it was yesterday. https://t.co/8z93EzckUC
— peter teravainen (@peterteravainen) January 3, 2020
Very sad to hear that Edinburgh Jimmy has passed away one of the tours great characters life was never dull when he was around . https://t.co/bm9RHxXNUJ
— Peter Baker (@peterbakergolf) January 3, 2020
We lost one of the great characters of the @EuropeanTour today , His banter and jokes were legendary -EdinburghJimmy - will be sadly missed Paul https://t.co/aPHeVGvNU5
— Mark Mouland (@moulieontour) January 2, 2020
