Thomas handed Euro Tour honour

Last updated: 18th February 2013

Welshman Dave Thomas has been awarded honorary life membership of the European Tour.

The 78-year-old, a renowned course designer, finished runner-up to Peter Thomson in the Open Championship at Royal Lytham in 1958 and he was again second eight years later at Muirfield with Jack Nicklaus taking the title this time.

He also played in four Ryder Cups between 1959 and 1967, represented his country 11 times in the World Cup of Golf and was captain of the Professional Golfers Association during its centenary year in 2001.

"It has been remiss of us not to have presented this award a long time ago, but today we are righting that wrong," European Tour executive director George O'Grady said.

"We have recently honoured Tommy Horton, Brian Huggett and Peter Alliss and Dave is in that league in helping build the game in Britain and all over the world."

Thomas said: "I have very fond memories of my playing career, but by 1969 my back had gone and it was time to do something else and what do you do?

"Someone suggested some design and architecture. Peter Alliss was involved and we became designers. Who would have thought all these years on I would be close to designing 150 courses?

"I have seen how the game has grown, how the European Tour has developed and it has been wonderful to have been part of it all for the last 60 years. I am honoured to receive this award."

Thomas co-designed The Belfry with Peter Alliss while he also designed courses in Africa, South Africa, Japan and China.