Richard Goodale R.I.P.

[Peter Galea]

I had the honor and pleasure of playing a few rounds with Rich.
He really liked the 18th green at Pajaro, it lays flat on the ground and falls away.
I remember that he was very good with the "claw", and gave me the moniker of "chief sherpa".
Rihc was a real gentleman along the lines of Boab Huntley.
Condolences to his family.

[Pete_Pittock]

Very tough news. My world is a better place because I knew him and cherish the times we were together.


God Speed, and my condolences to the family.

[Colin Macqueen]

Sad, sad news.
As for many others on this forum I was lucky enough to be hosted a round at
Dornoch with Rihc.  He was generous, fun to chat with and very bright. He and Josie made Tricia and I very welcome that day. We emailed quite a bit a few years ago as he picked my brains about whether or not his daughter should attend Dundee University. And in his inimitable manner made one feel as though it was you that was the fount of all information ... but of course that was never the case, 'twas he.


I, as did others, felt that when he went into hospice care the end was nigh. Mercifully it was not prolonged.


My condolences to you Josie and yer girls, a very sad time but he was much loved and respected.


Colin

[Brian_Ewen]

 

[Craig Disher]

I had the great fortune of being Rich's partner for one of the best rounds he played in his life, at Painswick in a long-ago BUDA, when the two of us [mostly Rich] somehow managed to defeat two much better golfers, including the former Walker Cup player and captain, Peter McEvoy, in a best ball match.  There were lots of birdies, a couple of near aces, a couple of par-4 greens driven, and generally a lot of thrills you would never find on a more conventional course.

I had the sense to take a photo of Rich at Painswick just before his game with Tom and Peter McEvoy. It was my first meeting with Rich followed by many more. That evening I had dinner with him and Peter and realized "he was himself," the same witty and wise man that I had admired on GCA. Rest in peace, Rich, and my sincere condolences to his family.

[Bryan Izatt]

Very sad news, indeed.  I had the pleasure of meeting and playing with Rhic a number of times over the years at various GCA events.  More recently at the Irish BUDA I got to meet Josie as well.  What a lovely couple.  My condolences to Josie and the family.


From Rich's Blog from some years ago, some of his musings on golf courses and St Andrews and heaven and hell.  Here's hoping that if heaven exists he's in the St Andrews part of it. 

As much as I do not believe in the concept of "heaven," if there is such a thing, heaven this must be. I likely do not believe in the concept of "hell," but if there is such a place at least one version of golf there would be on a magnificent course with disconnections to the land and not integrated at all with the other people in the vicinity. At the pubs in this version of hell, you would walk in, tell the first person you saw that you shot 71 and be blanked as the patrons would not know the place nor even the game.

And, finally a picture of Rich amongst friends competing at Lundin Links a decade ago in sunnier times.

[Sean_A]

Oh dear, very sad to hear of Rihc's passing.  I feel fortunate to have seen Rihc in Edinburgh this past winter with a GCA crowd.   I certainly recall the first time I met Rihc, he was the first GCAer I ever met in person.  It was at a Littlestone Buda and he wore a linen suit...Typically Rihc, he shipped his Toyota to the UK and the back seat was a rolling office.  While being whizzed around I noticed the Experience Royal Dornoch manuscript.  Being impressed I purchased the book when it was published.  This is remains one my best purchases.  Rihc was a one off and will be missed.

Sean

[Ben Stephens]

This is sad news - I first heard of Rich's passing on facebook which showed on of his last pics of him by a family member showing that he was thin and quite frail this is not the Rich I know - a proud honorary Scot I have always thought of him a Scotsman rather than an American however he was bit of both. He was larger than life and loved his golf and beer at the 19th.


One lasting memory I have is Rich always played BUDA in shorts with knee high socks and carried his bag. Boy his golf was no nonsense and got on with it - one the fastest players I have played with.


Slainte Mhaith Rich! Will raise a glass to you and condolences to his family at this sad time. He will be much missed by all of us on GCA. 

[Mitch Hantman]

Truly sad news.  He loved his golf, and he loved his family.  Our condolences to them all.  He will be greatly missed.

[Philip Gawith]

Very sad news. In certain South African circles he would be honoured as a stalwart - someone of wisdom, who contributed greatly. It was a pleasure to know him - if memory serves  Ran, Lloyd and I had a fun round with him at Hoylake in 2006! Fond memories!
Philip

[Adam Lawrence]

I can't remember whether Rich or Mark Rowlinson was the first GCA member I got to know, long before I became a member myself. He wrote several excellent articles for 'my' GCA in our early years of publishing.


I think these were all sufficiently early in the magazine's life that we hadn't got into the habit of using a photo of the author, which is why on the website the photo is of my former colleague Sean, but I hope readers will forgive that.


Enjoy. Sleep well Rich.


https://www.golfcoursearchitecture.net/content/old-tom-morris


https://www.golfcoursearchitecture.net/content/the-pioneer-archie-simpson


https://www.golfcoursearchitecture.net/content/desperately-seeking-eddie-hackett

[Niall C]

This is very sad news even if it isn't unexpected.


Like Sean, Rich was the first person I met from this site. I can't even recall specifically what the reason was for meeting but it was something to do with the history of game and he kindly agreed to meet this history geek in the Aberdour clubhouse for a drink. As always he was gracious with his time and I enjoyed his company on many occasions thereafter both at his courses (Aberdour and Dornoch) as well as at mine (Glasgow Gailes).


He was always great company and made light of any difficulties. The last time I saw him was when a group of us got together in Edinburgh before a recent rugby match and while you could see he wasn't 100%, he and Josie still enjoyed the day. He'll be sadly missed and not just by those that were lucky to meet him in person. A lovely, gracious man.


RIP Rich


Niall 

[Robin_Hiseman]

Like several others have said about themselves, Rich was the first of the GCA crowd that I met and was very kind to host me for a game or two in Dornoch, when I lived in Scotland, but I best remember him as my co-host and Captain of the USA golf team at the historic Painswick BUDA back in 2004. Nobody remembers (and why would they?) that I was the fourth member of the fourball along with Rich, Tom D and Peter McEvoy. It was a remarkable game to partake in, as we battled our way out and back across the Beacon, accompanied by a sizeable gallery (at least for the likes of us). Peter and I were pipped at the 18th by the intensity, great team work and superior play of Tom and Rich. Anyone who visits Painswick can still see the Dali-esque clock that Rich presented to the club to thank them for their overwhelming hospitality.

The link below will take you to a clip of a local TV news item about the Painswick BUDA and features a short interview with Rich, in his prime, discussing the course. This is how I shall remember him, along with the memory of seeing Josie and Rich thoroughly enjoying the Carne BUDA of a few years back.

https://youtu.be/_HLlNgOjD4s

It was a privilege to know you Rich and I send my love and condolences to Josie and the Goodale Family.

[Tim Gallant]

Very sad news indeed.


I was fortunate to meet Rich once this year, and had an enjoyable time chatting golf and GCA. Wonderful to hear him talk about Dornoch. Condolences to the family.

[Mike Hendren]

"Blessed be the tie that binds..."   Perhaps that applies to our collective love of golf and its architecture.  For virtually all of us it was the first tie to Rich and each other.   What a great guy and what a great game. 

I need to resume spending time with many of you.

Thanks Ran.

Mike

[Jim_Kennedy]

I was saddened to hear of his troubles and more so of his passing. My condolences to his family.

[Howard Riefs]

My condolences to the family. While I never had the good pleasure of meeting Rich, I did enjoy his writing and his stories over the years. I've been reading up on caddies for an upcoming trip to Scotland and came across this entertaining exchange that Rich captured:

I've written this in one of my books, and probably several other times on this forum, but since I was actually there at the time..........when playing the 6th with Bill Davis of Golf Digest, the Captain of Royal Dornoch and Sandy Pipie (caddie extraordinaire, looping for Bill), Mr Davis semi-shanked his tee shot and then manufactuerd a pitch from the right-hand gunge to 3-4 feet.  El Capitain said to Bill "Greg Norman couldn't have done better on that shot!"  In an instant, Sandy piped up "Aye, but Greg Norman never would have been there in the first place!"

[George Pazin]

Heartbroken indeed. My least favorite type of thread.


Slainte.


For those who did get to spend time, please continue sharing stories. Thanks.

[Greg Clark]

Thoughts and prayers to the family.  I had the privilege of sharing a few rounds and a dinner at Sand Hills with Rich.  While I wish there had been other opportunities to spend time with him, I am glad for the memories made.  Well played while here on earth Mr. Goodale, and God speed.

[PCCraig]

Sad news.


Rich was a terrific gentleman and will be missed dearly.

[Steve Lapper]

It deeply saddens me to learn of his passing. We've lost one of the good guys! Rest in peace my friend.

[Craig Van Egmond]

A great guy and 3 time feature interview..
https://golfclubatlas.com/feature-interview/Richard-Goodale-2005/
https://golfclubatlas.com/feature-interview/richard-goodaleii-september-2006/
https://golfclubatlas.com/feature-interview/rich-goodale-june-2007/
 

[Rick Shefchik]

I first met Rich at White Bear Yacht Club a few years ago on one of his rare visits to the heartland. I felt as though I already knew him, based on his GCA posts that informed and entertained in a brilliant economy of words that made me sure I would like the man even more in person. I was not disappointed.
[/size] [/color]
[/size]Then my wife Barbara and I attended the Buda Cup at Carne in 2016, where we got to spend more time with Rich and Josie. Playing with Josie made the immersive experience of a GCA weekend far more enjoyable for Barbara, and I was gratified to know that Rich had been as lucky as I have been to find a life partner who shared his love of golf. Here's a photo of Rhic surrounded by members of the Treehouse at Carne:[/color]
[/size]
[/size]Like many here, I have had the pleasure of exchanging PMs with Rich over the years, and in 2007 we decided to exchange books we'd written. Here's his inscription on my copy of the exceptional "Experiencing The Old Course": "9 Apr 2007 - To Rick, A fellow starving writer. Rich." He was correct that writing about golf never made either of us wealthy, but if wealth could be measured in respect, friendship and admiration, Rhic was a billionaire.
[/size][/color]

[David_Elvins]

That is sad news. 


I enjoyed time with Richard  and had so much respect for his ability to turn his passion for GCA into some really good books that were ahead of their time. 

[Patrick Kiser]

Very saddened to hear this.  Too many losses in one week.


I was lucky enough to meet Richard early on.  More recently back in 2013, Gib and myself were fortunate enough to tee it up with Richard on the old Paso Robles Links.  Even then, Gib was going through a tough time himself and Richard found the right words.  My gut tells me Richard would be fine in us teeing one up in his honor without too much fanfare and toasting to his departure on the 19th hole.  That's what I look forward to doing for my next round.


My thoughts go out to Josie, Caitlin, Melissa, and the extended family during this difficult time.


Sláinte indeed


A lookback from KP 2013:
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,54648.100.html