Golf pro dies

10:23pm Thursday 31st January 2008

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ONE of the town's most remarkable golf professionals has died, aged 94.

Lambert Topping, who spent most of his life working for the King of Morocco and only returned to Bolton four years ago, passed away at his home in Church Road on Wednesday.

He took up the game as a boy at Bolton Golf Club and after serving in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War became the professional at Old Links. He took part in the Open in 1953 when he finished 42nd and the following year improved to finish 20th. In 1955 Topping, by then a renowned club maker, took over from 1951 Open winner Max Faulkner as professional at St George's Hill Golf Club in Surrey.

It was there that he met the ambassador to Morroco, who introduced him to his golf-loving King.

Topping went to live in Morocco as the King's personal golf professional and stayed there until he returned home four years ago.

In that time he met many heads of state and was part of the official Moroccan party which met the Queen on a royal visit to England.

The funeral will be held on Wednesday at Overdale East at 11.45pm.