Robson held the role of official starter at The Open from 1975 until his final appearance at St Andrews in the 2015 contest. Additionally, he served as the official voice of the DP World Tour until his retirement at the conclusion of the 2015 season.
Ivor Robson, the esteemed official starter at The Open for a remarkable 41-year tenure, has passed away. His legacy is celebrated by players and golf authorities alike, with his contributions to the sport extending far beyond the iconic event. Ivor Robson also held the distinguished position of the official starter for the DP World Tour for over four decades, delivering his famous "on the tee" announcement in his distinctive brogue at golf venues worldwide.
Throughout his illustrious career, Robson had the privilege of sending some of the world's most renowned golfers on their journey, from the likes of Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods to Arnold Palmer and Seve Ballesteros, and from Tom Watson to Rory McIlroy.
Martin Slumbers, CEO of The R&A, expressed the collective sorrow, saying, "We are deeply saddened to hear of Ivor's passing. As the official starter at The Open for over 40 years, his voice was instantly recognizable and synonymous with the Championship for players and millions of golf fans worldwide. He was popular and well respected among all golfers who played in The Open, and I know that they will share in our sadness at this news. On behalf of all of us at The R&A, I would like to convey our heartfelt condolences to his wife of 61 years, Lesley, and the Robson family."
In 2015, Ivor Robson announced his retirement, marking his final appearance at The Open at St Andrews and bidding an emotional farewell when the DP World Tour season concluded in Dubai later that year. Upon retiring, he graciously reflected on his career, stating, "It has been a wonderful career. It's been a great honour. The way I have been treated by players, officials, sponsors... thank you all very much."
A beloved figure in Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway, Ivor was born in England in 1940 and embarked on his extraordinary journey at The Open in 1975, beginning at Carnoustie. Over the years, he earned the admiration of the world's top golfers as he sent them off from the 1st tee with his iconic words and a warm smile.
Robson's connection with professionals and fans alike was undeniable. He appreciated the camaraderie with the players and the unwavering support from spectators, acknowledging both as integral to his cherished experience.
For 41 editions of The Open, Ivor Robson's voice marked the time, never missing a championship or a tee time since 1975. He also became known for minimizing restroom breaks during matches, focusing on maintaining the rhythm of tee-offs.
In 2014, after his 40th Open at Royal Liverpool, he officially concluded his tenure at The 144th Open in the following year. Ivor's last announcement from the tee at 6.32am on the opening Thursday over the Old Course at St Andrews marked the beginning of his final championship as the iconic first tee announcer.
He reflected, "I feel you can't go on forever, and if you're going to step down, there's no better place to do it than here. I've had some nice ones, but this is special, St Andrews. It is just magnificent."
While Ivor knew he would miss many aspects of his work at The Open, it was the people he would miss the most. "Being involved, being a part of a team," he shared. "I'll miss that a lot, but it's time to go."
A fiercely private individual who relished playing golf when time allowed at his beloved Moffat Golf Club, Ivor Robson also took great pride in his role as a Rolex Ambassador.
Reflecting on his remarkable Open career, he remarked, "It is a great honour to be the official starter for the greatest championship in the world. I'm privileged and immensely proud. They were all very special."
