Neil Regan Death: Neil Regan, a golf club historian at Winged Foot passed away. On Monday, November 29, 2021, Hanse Golf Course Design shared the news of his demise on their official Facebook page saying they are heartbroken at the passing of Neil. “We are heartbroken at the passing of Neil Regan this weekend.” They also added that he was a sweet man who loved Winged Foot. “He was a sweet man, who loved Winged Foot.”
According to Hanse Golf Course Design, Neil was their collaborator in the restoration of both courses at Winged Foot. His knowledge and photographic memory of every detail of those greens made their work better. Without Neil, there is no way that their restoration of the East and West courses would have turned out as well says Hanse Golf Course Design.
A self-proclaimed late bloomer when it comes to golf, Regan’s first passion was history. He knows a lot about, well, a lot. At Brown University, Regan was a Classics major. Once he became a member at Winged Foot, Regan grew fond of Doug LaRue Smith, the historian who proceeded him. According to Golf Digest Regan resumed the role of club historian alongside Smith starting around 2000. Smith contributed to the cause up until his death in 2007. When Winged Foot’s West course began the restoration process 12 years ago, there was new energy to celebrate the club’s history. Regan began working with Dermod Sullivan and the club’s board to expand the collection of historical artifacts and expand its presence throughout the clubhouse, scouring auctions and the likes of eBay for new items to be added to their collection.
To read more about Neil Regan Winged Foot’s rich history click on Winged Foot
Geoff Shackelford @GeoffShac on a Twitter post said Neil was Winged Foot GC historian who did so much for others researching golf history and architecture in particular. He added that Golf lost another great as Neil passed away.
Golf lost another great when Neil Regan passed yesterday. The Winged Foot GC historian did so much for others researching golf history and architecture in particular. A @friedegg pod and @LifeOfTimReilly story to cherish: https://t.co/vM8AUSSqzVhttps://t.co/XDMK96PR3x pic.twitter.com/CfWYuZPhqP
— Geoff Shackelford (@GeoffShac) November 29, 2021
Photo Credit (PC) goes to Geoff Shackelford
Neil Regan’s obituary will be organized by the family