In memoriam

It with great sadness that we learnt of the passing of Tony Carter who graced us with his inexorable presence, not to mention pinball-like approach to playing through the trees, and his ever present scarf, on a HACKERS tour in days of yore; please see the tribute below from DA:

Dear All,

It is with regret that I announce the death of Tony ‘Squadron Leader’ Carter on Sunday 26^th February at 9.00am who struggled with cancer for around 2 years. He was 49 and left behind Marta his wife and soul mate and 6 year old twins, Mateo and Isabel.

As you may recall he joined us on the first ‘open’ H.A.C.K.E.R.S. tour to Le Touquet in 2005 (see picture attached - Tony is second in from the left back row). Although not a gifted golfer, he was a good tourist and lively company. Taking great care over his presentation, he had the only pre-shot routine I have seen which involved minute adjustments to his scarf and general golfing attire. He may well have completely missed the ball on occasion but he had a follow-through to be admired.

I remember on Day 2 of the tour we were late leaving the hotel and Tony scooped up breakfast of the buffet table and raced off to the 1^st tee. By about the 3^rd or 4^th I returned to the buggy after a tee shot to find a fabulous breakfast spread out on the seat on a linen napkin. He had a lot of style.

He gave up estate agency in Brighton to become an airline pilot flying from Q’atar and eventually Madrid where he met Marta a fellow pilot. We did manage the occasional game at Mannings Heath when he came over. He was not that bothered about the game but more interested in how reckless he could be driving the buggy which is difficult when they are speed-restricted. Driving off the back of the 3^rd green heading to the 4^th Tee he produced the longest skid mark I have ever witnessed from a golf buggy! Later on he dared me to get onto the roof of the thing while he set off as fast as he could only to slam the breaks on and see me slide down the windscreen head first.

Over lunch, he was tremendous company and knew a claret from his Côtes-du-Rhônes a skill he picked up from his childhood in France. His table manners were something else and a number of lunches ended up in competitons involving food throwing which naturally he would win given he was so well-practiced.

So long, T.C. and thanks for all the memories.

DA

Tony second from left in back row