BMW International Open 2015: “The first tee will not be the same without him”.

Munich. At 12:40, the inimitable voice of Ivor Robson, starter on the European Tour, announced his very last pair of players at the BMW International Open: “On the first tee from...” At the end of the season, the institution on the first tee will call it a day after 40 years of service. BMW and the players thanked the Scot with a commemorative poster, complete with signatures and personal messages. In a nice touch from the organisers, the words “THANKS IVOR” were also mown into the grass at the side of the first tee on Sunday.

With his dark-green blazer, perfectly tied tie, neatly parted silver hair and uniquely melodic way of announcing the players, Robson has become something of a legend on the European Tour and at Ryder Cups in Europe since his debut on the first tee in 1975. The kind words of a long-time companion illustrate just what high regard he is held in by the players: “The first tee will not be the same without him. Ivor always has a friendly word for everyone. He is always polite and kind,” said Darren Clarke, 2011 Open champion and European Ryder Cup captain for 2016. “He’s a very special man, who I have known for a very long time. I send him some wine every Christmas, just to say thank you. I am sure all the players, like myself, would like to wish him all the best. He will be sadly missed.”

Robson himself is relaxed about the whole affair. Always the perfect gentleman, he said: “It has been a great honour to work at the BMW International Open for so many years. It is a wonderful tournament, and BMW know how to put on a great event. They have great attention to detail and it has been a delight to be part of it. I am going to miss this event, and all the other events, the spectators and the sponsors. But the end of the season is the right time for me to retire. I’ve enjoyed every single minute of my job and I have some wonderful memories.”