{"id":31597,"date":"2026-01-08T14:19:16","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T14:19:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/?p=31597"},"modified":"2026-01-08T14:21:35","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T14:21:35","slug":"golf-loses-one-of-its-biggest-characters-derrick-pillage-dies-aged-95","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/golf-news\/golf-loses-one-of-its-biggest-characters-derrick-pillage-dies-aged-95\/","title":{"rendered":"Golf loses one of its biggest characters: Derrick Pillage dies aged 95"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"relative basis-auto flex-col -mb-(--composer-overlap-px) [--composer-overlap-px:28px] grow flex\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col text-sm pb-25\">\n<article class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none [--shadow-height:45px] has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none has-data-writing-block:-mt-(--shadow-height) has-data-writing-block:pt-(--shadow-height) [&amp;:has([data-writing-block])&gt;*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]\" dir=\"auto\" tabindex=\"-1\" data-turn-id=\"request-WEB:6d222af1-2997-4c74-a745-0c10ff23bf5b-2\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-6\" data-scroll-anchor=\"true\" data-turn=\"assistant\">\n<div class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-10 [--thread-content-margin:--spacing(4)] @w-sm\/main:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(6)] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(16)] px-(--thread-content-margin)\">\n<div class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n<div class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col grow\">\n<div class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal [.text-message+&amp;]:mt-1\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"e676f7f4-9778-4659-b74b-b291d8bca954\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-5-2\">\n<div class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[1px]\">\n<div class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert w-full break-words light markdown-new-styling\">\n<h3 data-start=\"191\" data-end=\"247\">A Life Shaped by Golf<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"248\" data-end=\"448\">Golf has lost one of its most colourful and influential figures with the passing of Derrick Pillage, a larger-than-life character whose impact on the professional game spanned more than seven decades.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"450\" data-end=\"813\">Born in 1930 in Devonport, Plymouth, Pillage\u2019s life took an extraordinary turn at a young age when he was sent by boat from England to the United States to live with his aunt and uncle in California.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"450\" data-end=\"813\">They worked at the pro shop of Santa Ana Golf Club and, with his uncle as club professional and his aunt an avid golfer, the game quickly became Derrick\u2019s destiny.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31603\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31603\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-31603\" src=\"https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-71574569.jpg\" alt=\"Derrick Pillage with great friend David Leadbetter\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1133\" srcset=\"https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-71574569.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-71574569-480x340.jpg 480w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-71574569-640x453.jpg 640w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-71574569-320x227.jpg 320w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-71574569-768x544.jpg 768w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-71574569-1536x1088.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-71574569-750x531.jpg 750w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-71574569-1200x850.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31603\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Derrick Pillage with great friend David Leadbetter (Photo by David Cannon\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3 data-start=\"815\" data-end=\"865\">A Prodigious Talent and a Colourful Nickname<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"866\" data-end=\"1202\">He grew up immersed in golf, caddying with friends for 25 cents a bag, playing endlessly, and by the age of 14 had reached scratch handicap. Living close to the Mexican border, he earned the nickname \u201cthe blue-eyed Mexican,\u201d a nod to his striking blue eyes and vibrant personality, a feature people would remark on throughout his life.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1204\" data-end=\"1257\">Service, Boxing and Early Lessons in Leadership<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1258\" data-end=\"1459\">Alongside golf, Pillage also boxed and represented the Navy during his national service. Even then, the game remained central to his life, and he spent much of his time giving golf lessons to officers.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1461\" data-end=\"1640\">After completing his service, he returned to the United States and earned a golfing scholarship to the University of Southern California, further cementing his place in the sport.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31600\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31600\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-31600\" src=\"https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_9314.jpg\" alt=\"Derrick Pillage with some of his players, Top Left to Right Malcolm Gregson, Sandy Lyle, Brian Barnes, Carl Mason.Bottom: Tommy Horton, Derrick Pillage and Sam Torrance\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1255\" srcset=\"https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_9314.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_9314-480x377.jpg 480w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_9314-640x502.jpg 640w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_9314-320x251.jpg 320w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_9314-768x602.jpg 768w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_9314-1536x1205.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_9314-750x588.jpg 750w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_9314-1200x941.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31600\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Derrick Pillage with some of his players, Top Left to Right Malcolm Gregson, Sandy Lyle, Brian Barnes, Carl Mason.<br \/>Bottom: Tommy Horton, Derrick Pillage and Sam Torrance<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3 data-start=\"1642\" data-end=\"1700\">A Career-Changing Injury and an Unbreakable Spirit<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1701\" data-end=\"1959\">At just 24, his promising playing career was derailed by a freak accident. A poor bunker shot resulted in a broken back, leaving him confined to a wheelchair for two years. Doctors told him he would never walk properly again, let alone play competitive golf.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1961\" data-end=\"2067\">Derrick defied those predictions, rebuilding his life and finding new ways to influence the game he loved.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"2069\" data-end=\"2123\">Hollywood, <em data-start=\"2084\" data-end=\"2090\">Zulu<\/em> and a Life Beyond the Fairways<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2124\" data-end=\"2391\">In his mid-twenties, Pillage worked in public relations for Warner Bros, where he became friends with actor Stanley Baker and even made a cameo appearance in the classic film <em data-start=\"2299\" data-end=\"2305\">Zulu<\/em>. Though his path briefly took him to Hollywood, golf was never far from his thoughts.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31598\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31598\" style=\"width: 1022px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-31598\" src=\"https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Derrick-Pillage-in-Spain-with-Connery-and-Forsyth.png\" alt=\"Derrick Pillage (centre) on one of his many golf trips with Sean Connery (Left) Bruce Forysth (above) Brian Barnes (Bottom right) and Max Faulkner above\" width=\"1022\" height=\"656\" srcset=\"https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Derrick-Pillage-in-Spain-with-Connery-and-Forsyth.png 1022w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Derrick-Pillage-in-Spain-with-Connery-and-Forsyth-480x308.png 480w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Derrick-Pillage-in-Spain-with-Connery-and-Forsyth-640x411.png 640w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Derrick-Pillage-in-Spain-with-Connery-and-Forsyth-320x205.png 320w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Derrick-Pillage-in-Spain-with-Connery-and-Forsyth-768x493.png 768w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Derrick-Pillage-in-Spain-with-Connery-and-Forsyth-750x481.png 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1022px) 100vw, 1022px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31598\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Derrick Pillage (centre) on one of his many golf trips with Sean Connery (left) Bruce Forysth (above) Brian Barnes (bottom right) and Max Faulkner (above)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3 data-start=\"2393\" data-end=\"2438\">Golf\u2019s Most Influential Managers<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2439\" data-end=\"2761\">Pillage went on to forge a formidable career in golf management, representing some of the biggest names in the sport, including Sandy Lyle, Lee Trevino, Bernard Gallacher, Sam Torrance, Max Faulkner and Brian Barnes. At his peak, he managed around 35 players and was regarded as one of the most influential figures in professional golf.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31599\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31599\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-31599\" src=\"https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_9333.jpg\" alt=\"Derrick Pillage with Max Faulkner\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1001\" srcset=\"https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_9333.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_9333-480x300.jpg 480w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_9333-640x400.jpg 640w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_9333-320x200.jpg 320w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_9333-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_9333-1536x961.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_9333-750x469.jpg 750w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_9333-1200x751.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31599\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Derrick Pillage with Max Faulkner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3 data-start=\"2763\" data-end=\"2816\">Sports Management<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2817\" data-end=\"3034\">One contemporary newspaper clipping captured his standing perfectly:<br data-start=\"2885\" data-end=\"2888\" \/>\u201cPillage has a list of runners capable of winning everything in the world and is a rival to Mark McCormack\u2019s IMG top spot on the management tree.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"3036\" data-end=\"3089\">The Golfing Lions<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"3090\" data-end=\"3276\">Derrick later worked with British Caledonian Airways and founded the Golfing Lions, a group of professional golfers who toured the world, spreading the game to new audiences and regions.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31601\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31601\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-31601\" src=\"https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_9319.jpg\" alt=\"Derrick Pillage (centre) with Gay Brewer (left) and Bill Casper\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1127\" srcset=\"https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_9319.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_9319-480x338.jpg 480w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_9319-640x451.jpg 640w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_9319-320x225.jpg 320w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_9319-768x541.jpg 768w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_9319-1536x1082.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_9319-750x528.jpg 750w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_9319-1200x845.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31601\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Derrick Pillage (centre) with Gay Brewer (left) and Bill Casper<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3 data-start=\"3278\" data-end=\"3326\">Shaping Careers Through the Safari Circuit<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"3327\" data-end=\"3527\">He was instrumental in the creation of the Safari Circuit, a groundbreaking initiative that helped shape the careers of many players by providing competitive opportunities in emerging golfing nations.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"3529\" data-end=\"3579\">Writer, Umpire and Trusted Voice of the Game<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"3580\" data-end=\"3848\">Beyond management, Pillage also made his mark as a golf writer, contributing to publications including <em data-start=\"3683\" data-end=\"3694\">Golf News<\/em> and <em data-start=\"3699\" data-end=\"3713\">Golf Monthly<\/em>. He served as a tournament press officer and umpire at numerous professional events, including the Ryder Cup and on the European Tour.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31605\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31605\" style=\"width: 880px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-31605\" src=\"https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-08-at-14.09.26.png\" alt=\"Derrick Pillage at Wentworth\" width=\"880\" height=\"653\" srcset=\"https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-08-at-14.09.26.png 880w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-08-at-14.09.26-480x356.png 480w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-08-at-14.09.26-640x475.png 640w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-08-at-14.09.26-320x237.png 320w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-08-at-14.09.26-768x570.png 768w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-08-at-14.09.26-750x557.png 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 880px) 100vw, 880px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31605\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Derrick at Wentworth while umpiring at the World Matchplay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3 data-start=\"3850\" data-end=\"3892\">St Mellion Trophy<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"3893\" data-end=\"4043\">Derrick was also involved in setting up the St Mellion Trophy, working alongside legends such as Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Sandy Lyle and Nick Faldo.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31602\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31602\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-31602\" src=\"https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/TomWatson_JackNicklaus_SandyLyle_NickFaldo_StMellion_1988.jpg\" alt=\"Tom Watson, Jack Nicklaus, SandyLyle and Nick Faldo at St Mellion\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1134\" srcset=\"https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/TomWatson_JackNicklaus_SandyLyle_NickFaldo_StMellion_1988.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/TomWatson_JackNicklaus_SandyLyle_NickFaldo_StMellion_1988-480x340.jpg 480w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/TomWatson_JackNicklaus_SandyLyle_NickFaldo_StMellion_1988-640x454.jpg 640w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/TomWatson_JackNicklaus_SandyLyle_NickFaldo_StMellion_1988-320x227.jpg 320w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/TomWatson_JackNicklaus_SandyLyle_NickFaldo_StMellion_1988-768x544.jpg 768w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/TomWatson_JackNicklaus_SandyLyle_NickFaldo_StMellion_1988-1536x1089.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/TomWatson_JackNicklaus_SandyLyle_NickFaldo_StMellion_1988-750x532.jpg 750w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/TomWatson_JackNicklaus_SandyLyle_NickFaldo_StMellion_1988-1200x851.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31602\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tom Watson, Jack Nicklaus, SandyLyle and Nick Faldo at St Mellion<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3 data-start=\"4045\" data-end=\"4086\">Tributes from Golf\u2019s Greatest Names<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"4087\" data-end=\"4166\">Tributes from across the golfing world underline the scale of his contribution.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4168\" data-end=\"4254\">\u201cDerrick\u2019s contribution to the game of golf has been a great one,\u201d said <strong>Jack Nicklaus.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4256\" data-end=\"4341\">\u201cYou were a great manager, my man. You were way before your time,\u201d added <strong>Lee Trevino.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4343\" data-end=\"4537\">\u201cDerrick, you were cheeky, you could have been a salesman to anything, but you certainly left a footprint in the game,\u201d said <strong>Peter Alliss<\/strong>. \u201cYou were a good man and added to the quality of golf.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4539\" data-end=\"4606\"><strong>Sam Torrance<\/strong> recalled: \u201cI was watching <em data-start=\"4578\" data-end=\"4584\">Zulu<\/em> and thinking of him.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4608\" data-end=\"4774\"><strong>Sandy Lyle<\/strong> reflected on \u201cthe great times and victories we had and the fantastic memories with the Golfing Lions, playing in places like Brazil, Argentina and Zambia.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4776\" data-end=\"4881\"><strong>Tom Watson<\/strong> joked: \u201cI am still drying out from the time spent at St Mellion playing with Jack years ago!!\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4883\" data-end=\"5170\"><strong>Bernard Gallacher<\/strong> paid a deeply personal tribute:<br data-start=\"4932\" data-end=\"4935\" \/>\u201cDerrick gave me the best advice I ever received when turning professional, both on and off the golf course\u2026 He is responsible for me being the Head Pro at one of the world\u2019s best clubs for over 25 years, and I will never forget that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5172\" data-end=\"5487\">Broadcaster <strong>Ewen Murray<\/strong> added:<br data-start=\"5202\" data-end=\"5205\" \/>\u201cThere were many professional golfers who benefitted greatly from having Derrick as a manager and friend. I am one of these\u2026 His contribution to professional golf was more than significant. His long and successful life, I rejoice, and it was a privilege to be part of his 95 years.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31604\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31604\" style=\"width: 1433px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-31604\" src=\"https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-08-at-14.10.55.png\" alt=\"Derrick Pillage\" width=\"1433\" height=\"846\" srcset=\"https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-08-at-14.10.55.png 1433w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-08-at-14.10.55-480x283.png 480w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-08-at-14.10.55-640x378.png 640w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-08-at-14.10.55-320x189.png 320w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-08-at-14.10.55-768x453.png 768w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-08-at-14.10.55-750x443.png 750w, https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-08-at-14.10.55-1200x708.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1433px) 100vw, 1433px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31604\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Derrick Pillage lived life to the full<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3 data-start=\"5489\" data-end=\"5520\">A Legacy That Will Endure<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"5521\" data-end=\"5725\">Derrick Pillage leaves behind a legacy defined by resilience, vision, sharp wit and an unwavering love for the game, a true original whose influence will continue to be felt throughout the world of golf.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5521\" data-end=\"5725\">There is only one Derrick Pillage<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p data-start=\"5521\" data-end=\"5725\">Derrick Passed away peacefully surrounded by his family, on 20th December 2025 aged 95 years.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5521\" data-end=\"5725\">Beloved husband of Sally, father of Grant and Samantha, father in law to Greg and Vicky and Papa of Jasmin, Chloe, Sadie, Josh, Isabella and Emilia.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5521\" data-end=\"5725\">Funeral service was held at St. Mary the Virgin Church, Church Lane, Clymping on Wednesday 7th January 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"z-0 flex min-h-[46px] justify-start\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"mt-3 w-full empty:hidden\">\n<div class=\"text-center\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Life Shaped by Golf Golf has lost one of its most colourful and influential figures with the passing of Derrick Pillage, a larger-than-life character whose impact on the professional game spanned more than seven decades. Born in 1930 in Devonport, Plymouth, Pillage\u2019s life took an extraordinary turn at a young age when he was sent by boat from England to the United States to live with his aunt and uncle in California. They worked at the pro shop of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":31606,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[445,9],"tags":[3405,3406,683,3407,674],"class_list":["post-31597","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-features","category-golf-news","tag-derrick-pillage","tag-golfing-lions","tag-jack-nicklaus","tag-stanley-baker","tag-tom-watson"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Golf loses one of its biggest characters: Derrick Pillage dies aged 95 - Golf News | Golf Magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Golf has lost one of its most colourful and influential figures with the passing of Derrick Pillage, a larger-than-life character\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/golfnews.co.uk\/golf-news\/golf-loses-one-of-its-biggest-characters-derrick-pillage-dies-aged-95\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Golf loses one of its biggest characters: Derrick Pillage dies aged 95 - 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