Former president of West Herts Golf Club Patrick O’Connor has died this week aged 82.

Mr O’Connor, who was president of the club from 2002 to 2005, was twice captain of West Herts, in 1973/74 and again in 1989/90 - the club’s centenary year. A congratulatory letter addressed to him by the Queen is proudly displayed in the clubhouse.

He had been a member for almost 50 years and active in the forefront of the management through some exceedingly difficult times. In particular, when the club fought a Judicial Review against the council after it had sought to take over the running of the club.

The matter was resolved satisfactorily for all parties when the council awarded a new lease in 1997.

Mr O’ Connor was born in Limerick, Ireland, in 1933. He moved to Watford after he met and married his wife Patricia.

He was an extremely popular figure at West Herts and a fiercely competitive golfer who, in his best days, played off a handicap of six. His prowess in competition is evidenced by his name regularly being added to the club’s honours boards in the 70’s and 80’s.

A stout devotee of golf’s traditions, he organised and led the West Herts captain’s in competitions on some of England’s most prestigious courses, in particular Sunningdale, where an annual event was held for The Past Captain’s Salver.

It is still played for to this day though, these days at West Herts. The course has remained as it was originally laid out in 1902 save for the re-siting of the 18th Green. Patrick was part of the team that accomplished this considerable feat in 1974.

An astute businessman, he was regularly consulted over the running of the club by successive committees. He commanded great respect wherever he went and spent a considerable time as a captain and president of an affiliated golf society who raised tens of thousands of pounds for local charities. He was also a past member of the Moor Park Golf Club.

His wife Patricia, son David and grandchildren Sophie and Daniel together with Mr O’Connor’s brother, Donald, survive him.

His funeral will be held at The Chiltern Crematorium on Thursday, March 26, at 10am.