Georgie Bingham: One Barry Lane
Barry Lane of Great Britain follows his shot on his way to winning the Andersen Consulting World Championship of Golf tournament on 31st December 1995 at the Grayhawk Golf Course in Scottsdale, Arizona, United States.(Photo by J.D. Cuban/Allsport/Getty Images).
It was really touching to see how many tributes were made to Barry Lane last week. He passed away after Christmas following a short period of illness and his death came far too soon.
I hope it’s fitting that I tell you what little I know of him after his wonderful lifetime in golf; he was one of my favourite people on tour and everyone will miss his presence hugely.
Barry Lane of England looks on during the Anderson Consult. World Championship held at Grayhawk Golf Course in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo: Getty Images.
I have only been on the Legends Tour for two seasons but filmed with him early on. I think my first memory of Barry is the Ryder Cup 1993 - so I was excited to meet him, all golf fans love meeting Ryder Cup players (I have written about this as a topic before I think!).
“I don’t feel that I need to tell you too much about Barry’s career - much has been written about that; but I hope to convey how loved and popular he was, and the huge hole he’ll leave on tour this year. ”
Barry was dry, funny and incredibly friendly and welcoming. He always seemed very at peace and he and Camilla had the kind of relationship I strive for, seemingly never tired of each others company, always smiling or laughing and thoroughly living their lives to the full. Funnily enough, he and his wife embodied what the Legends Tour is about; it’s a ‘destination tour’ and many players bring their wives to tournaments to caddy and socialise with them.
1992: Barry Lane of Great Britain relaxes during the second round of the Johnnie Walker World Championships at the Tryall Golf Club in Montego Bay, Jamaica. \ Mandatory Credit: David Cannon/Allsport.
Golfers get to keep playing the game they love and keep the competitive juices flowing but it’s also a much more relaxed environment off the course than their earlier careers. I don’t feel that I need to tell you too much about Barry’s career - much has been written about that; but I hope to convey how loved and popular he was, and the huge hole he’ll leave on tour this year.
Our 2022 season ended in Mauritius in December; this year Barry and Camilla travelled out to spend some final time with his peers. They all had a wonderful evening together where the newly named ‘Barry Lane Rookie of the Year’ Award was handed out to Adilson da Silva - but the primary purpose of the event was for players to see and spend time with Barry. He tweeted about the evening and his trip to Mauritius and I know how much it meant to everyone to have him around even though he was too unwell to play.
30th Ryder Cup 1993: Bernard Gallacher, Ian Woosnam, Barry Lane,Colin Montgomerie, Peter Baker, Joakim Haeggman, Mark James,Costantino Rocca,Severiano Ballesteros, José María Olazábal, Bernhard Langer, Nick Faldo and Sam Torrance of the European team pose for a team photo with the Ryder Cup trophy at the 30th Ryder Cup Matches on 24 September 1993 at The Belfry in Wishaw, Warwickshire, England. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images).
Barry was also really kind. He was fun and funny but also went out of his way to help others. When I tweeted last year about finding a golf psychologist to help me stop getting ahead of myself on the course (something I call “glory/catastrophe projection”) he was kind enough to get in touch to explain how Camilla had helped him to conquer this problem and just concentrate on the next shot.
31 Dec 1995: Barry Lane celebrates after the Anderson Consulting World Cup at the Greyhawk golf club in Phoenix, Arizona.
He gave me a few pointers to help and said we’d talk about it at the next tournament. Bearing in mind I am just the tour reporter, and this is me whingeing about my own, crappy, amateur golfing problems in my weekly women’s division, I was so touched he took the time.
LYTHAM ST ANNES, ENGLAND - JULY 20: Barry Lane of England hits his tee shot on the 1st hole during the second round of the 141st Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club on July 20, 2012 in Lytham St Annes, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/R&A/R&A via Getty Images).
When my local club Thorpeness Country Club were celebrating their Centenary Year, he also sent the most lovely video tribute to them and their head pro Christine Langford who he’s known for many years. Barry took time for people. It set him apart.
Tributes to Barry were plentiful and heartfelt. I’m not surprised because he really was a bloody good bloke.
Georgie Bingham, broadcaster and journalist, writes a bi-weekly column for The Cut Stuff. She’s golf obsessed. She’s ready to go behind the tour.
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