Peter McEvoy, a legendary figure in the world of amateur golf, was born in London in 1953 and was raised in Renfrewshire, Scotland. He first picked up a golf club while playing with his father at the local club, Gourock, near Greenock. At the age of 10, his family moved to the West Midlands where he continued to hone his skills, eventually joining Copt Heath Golf Club near Solihull at the age of 13. Despite moving to Troon in 2018, he was made an Honorary Member at Copt Heath and had a trophy named after him that is contested annually at the club.
During his illustrious career, Peter played 153 matches for England between 1976-1992, winning 103 of them and accumulating a remarkable 111 points. He won the prestigious Amateur Championship in 1977 and 1978, as well as being the low amateur at The Open in 1978 and 1979. In addition to these accolades, he won the Lytham Trophy in 1979, the Brabazon Trophy in 1980, and was a runner-up in the Amateur Championship in 1987. Peter also made history as the first British amateur to make the cut at The Masters in 1978.
Peter’s success extended beyond individual competitions, as he also excelled in team events. He represented GB&I in five Walker Cup teams between 1977 and 1989, and later served as Captain of the team in 1999 and 2001, leading them to consecutive victories for the first time in history. He also played in five Eisenhower Trophies, winning the individual event in 1988 and helping GB&I secure the team event. Peter later captained GB&I to victory in the tournament in 1998, making him the only person to have won the individual and team events as a player and Captain.
In recognition of his contributions to amateur golf, Peter received numerous awards throughout his career. He was awarded the Golf Writers’ Trophy in 1978 for his success at the Amateur Championship and The Masters, and again in 2001 as Captain of the Walker Cup team. In 1999, he was honored with the Gerald Micklem Award for his outstanding contribution to amateur golf in England. Additionally, Peter was involved in golf course design for over 20 years, served as Chairman of The R&A Selection Committee, and was awarded an OBE in 2003.
Peter’s impact on the sport of golf extended far beyond his playing career. His leadership and dedication to the game inspired countless individuals and helped shape the future of amateur golf in England. In 2024, Peter was one of the first inductees into the England Golf Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest figures in the history of the sport. His contributions to golf, both on and off the course, will be forever remembered and celebrated by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
