Golf was Richardson's destiny

He was born in St Andrew's in 1937 and returned there 33 years later for his finest hour.

Richardson qualified for the 1970 British Open at the most famous old golf links of all and astounded everyone by going into the final two rounds lying in second place.

He drifted back to 13th on the last day but it was to remain the finest performance by a Hampshire golfer in a British Open until Justin Rose finished in fourth place at Royal Birkdale in 1998.

Richardson, though, always considered himself more of a club professional than a tournament professional, unlike his son Steve who won three times on the European Tour and played in the Ryder Cup at Kiawah Island.

After doing his National Services in the famed Black Watch regiment, Richardson landed his first job in golf as assistant professional at Sunningdale before moving on to Lee-on-the-Solent as club professional in 1967.

He says there have been many changes, the biggest on the retail side where he says there is so much competition nowadays, not just from other clubs, but especially big retail outlets.

"It's much tougher for a club professional these days," he says.

Richardson also marvels at the increase in playing standards in recent years, helped by much-improved equipment.

"My lad Steve had his best- ever six rounds at Tour School last month but, for the first time, he missed out on his card. How do you figure that out?" he said.

"He was four under and missed out by one shot. Not so many years ago, four over would have been good enough." Golf was Richardson's destiny

Bob Brunskell bob.brunskell@soton-echo.co.uk

LIKE FATHER LIKE SON: John Richardson with a young Steve.

John Richardson, who steps down as Lee-on-the-Solent Club professional at the end of the month, was destined to have a life in golf.

He was born in St Andrew's in 1937 and returned there 33 years later for his finest hour.

Richardson qualified for the 1970 British Open at the most famous old golf links of all and astounded everyone by going into the final two rounds lying in second place.

He drifted back to 13th on the last day but it was to remain the finest performance by a Hampshire golfer in a British Open until Justin Rose finished in fourth place at Royal Birkdale in 1998.

Richardson, though, always considered himself more of a club professional than a tournament professional, unlike his son Steve who won three times on the European Tour and played in the Ryder Cup at Kiawah Island.

After doing his National Services in the famed Black Watch regiment, Richardson landed his first job in golf as assistant professional at Sunningdale before moving on to Lee-on-the-Solent as club professional in 1967.

He says there have been many changes, the biggest on the retail side where he says there is so much competition nowadays, not just from other clubs, but especially big retail outlets.

"It's much tougher for a club professional these days," he says.

Richardson also marvels at the increase in playing standards in recent years, helped by much-improved equipment.

"My lad Steve had his best- ever six rounds at Tour School last month but, for the first time, he missed out on his card. How do you figure that out?" he said.

"He was four under and missed out by one shot. Not so many years ago, four over would have been good enough."