Dave Thomas was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the son of William Thomas a mining engineer and rugby full-back from Aberdare in South Wales.
William passed away in 1949, the same year his son watched some of the game’s great champions including Fred Daly, Max Faulkner and the legendary Sam Snead competing in The Ryder Cup at Ganton. Watching these top players left such a lasting impression, Dave was determined as a player to aspire to the same standards and started his golf career as an assistant professional at Gosforth Park.
He managed to win multiple European Tour events during the 1950's and 1960's as well as finishing runner up for The Open Championship twice. He proudly represented Wales in the World Cup of Golf a total of 11 times and would play in The Ryder Cup on 4 occoasions but arthritis would bring a premature end to his playing career.
Thomas immersed himself in his other great passion, the design of golf courses. Teaming up with Peter Alliss, the pair designed a wide variety of parkland layouts throughout the English countryside with the courses at The Belfry becoming their crowning glory.
He did not confine his design talents to England though, moving north of the border you can find Thomas layouts near Dundee with the Buddon Course at Carnoustie and the Lansdowne Course at Blairgowrie. Near Glasgow he created the Earl of Mar course and teamed up with the great Seve Ballesteros for the layout at the Westerwood Golf Hotel. There are Thomas designs in Aberdeenshire, The Borders and all the way up in the Highlands with the expansive track at Spey Valley in the Carirngorms National Park.
Dave would eventually apply his trade further afield, creating more than twenty courses in Europe. Most of these designs were in Spain along the South East coast creating layouts in Murcia, Cadiz, Catalunya and the Canary
Islands. His CV also includes Cannes Mougins, La Baule and Terre Blanche in France and courses in Africa, China, Japan, South America and Taiwan.
A few months before he passed away in his home in Marbella Dave was given with Honorary Life Membership of the European Tour. He was presented with a silver membership card at a special luncheon at Shepherd’s Restaurant in London, attended by Board Member and life-long friend John O’Leary along with representatives of the Association of Golf Writers.
