Golfer who helped club to expand dies aged 88

A professional golfer who helped a Midland club expand to more than 1,000 members has died at the age of 88.

Ron Hinton, the longest-serving professional at Enville Golf Club after his 35-year stint, retired in 1989 but remained an honorary member until his death, and was able to play regularly until the last 18 months.

During his career, he witnessed the growth of the membership from 350 to more than 1,000 with Enville also being used as a qualifying course for The Open.

When he started there in 1954 the club had no gas or electricity but he spearheaded its expansion and set up his own shop.

Current members say Mr Hinton and his wife Joyce – who worked as a caterer at the club – were responsible for Enville becoming one of the leading clubs in the Midlands.

Mr Hinton, who was originally from Birmingham, had spells at Robin Hood and Copt Heath clubs in Solihull before moving to Enville. He became only the third professional in the club's history.

In the final two years of his life, he lived in Bridgnorth where he died last Thursday.

Mr Hinton's sons Paul and Philip are also golf professionals, with Philip competing on European tours in the 1980s.

Sean Power, Enville's current professional, who took over from Mr Hinton, said: "He was a very large part of Enville's history, and he will be missed.

"He was extremely popular and well-liked."