Tributes have been paid to John Reay, an revolutionary and pioneering golf gear retailer, course proprietor and charity fundraiser, who handed away following a brief sickness on the finish of August, and whose funeral was held at Coventry Cathedral on Monday, September 18.
John was elected to PGA Membership in 1971, six years after he left college at 14 to change into an assistant at Atherstone Golf Membership in Warwickshire. He adopted that with a spell at Nuneaton Golf Membership earlier than, on the age of 21, opening the John Reay Golf Centre in Coventry in 1972.
The enterprise proved massively profitable over the next 50 years and grew to a sizeable operation that, at its peak, included 11 outlets. The unique Coventry web site expanded to comprise at 3,500 sq. toes retail store, a driving vary, bar and restaurant, using a big group of PGA Professionals for teaching and fittings. He added to his portfolio of enterprise pursuits in 1996 with the acquisition of Stoneleigh Deer Park Golf Membership, which is now run by his son, Johnny Jr, who is likely one of the UK’s main golfers with a incapacity.
John Snr was additionally a founder member of Europro Golf Centres, a shopping for group which had 20 franchised outlets at its peak.
Alan Walker, a PGA Grasp Skilled and former PGA captain, was a member of the group and remembers the excessive esteem wherein John was held. He stated: “I can keep in mind many a time after I went to a shopping for group assembly and could be solely too happy to hearken to the few phrases he spoke. There weren’t many, however what he stated was pure frequent sense. He was small in stature however highly effective in his strategy to {the golfing} world. He had a robust enterprise acumen and was extremely revered.”
John was massively supportive of a variety of native and nationwide charities all through his life, and thru varied golf days and sponsored occasions succeeded in elevating over £3m for worthy causes and organisations, together with Helen Ley, Warwick Museum, TNT/Picket Spoon,, Coventry Rugby Membership Basis and Leamington Spa Rotary and Struggle for Sight and Nice Ormond Road Hospital. The assist for GOSH was impressed was by the therapy that, spanning 15 years, the couple’s son, Johnny, obtained after he was born with Apert’s Syndrome, a genetic defect resulting in anomalies within the palms, toes and skull.
PGA chief government Robert Maxfield stated: “Regardless of his success in enterprise, John by no means overlooked the necessity to assist the much less lucky, therefore the outstanding quantity he helped elevate for good causes. He was clearly forward of his time as a {golfing} retailer and his success in that subject coupled with proudly owning and working a thriving golf membership made for a satisfying and really full profession. His passing is a large loss to the Affiliation, his companies, these he helped and, above all, his household.”
John is survived by Cherry, his spouse, son Johnny, daughter Pippa, and Berry, his granddaughter.
The John Reay Golf Centre was closed on Monday to permit workers to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and attend Reay’s funeral, which was attended by over 400 household and pals.
