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Roundhay Golf Club tribute after death of stalwart
Roundhay Golf Club is flying its flag at half mast to pay tribute to an "irreplaceable" secretary killed in a fire at his home.
Debbie Leigh
"Larger than life" former club captain Bob Mclauchlan had been a member of Roundhay Golf Club for almost 50 years, and club secretary over 30 years.
He had spent Sunday at the club,coming third in a golf competition, before returning to his ground-floor flat at Chandos Gardens, Roundhay, at around 8pm.
But just two hours later Moortown firefighters were called to a chip pan fire at his home after his neighbour smelled acrid smoke and raised the alarm.
On searching the flat they found the 75-year-old widower in the lounge.
He was taken to hospital but died.
Chairman Chris Dewar, said: "Everybody is absolutely devastated. He is absolutely irreplaceable."
Club members said Mr Mclauchlan was known for falling asleep at home after putting food on to cook.
They had tried everything, from giving him a microwave, with hand-drawn diagrams, to sending him home with cold food from the club, to try to keep him safe.
He still played golf at Roundhay up to five times a week and could be found in the clubhouse practically every day
He was also a member of the Leeds and District Golf Union, Leeds and District Society of Golf Club Captains, and Leeds and District
Federation of Municipal Golf Clubs.
Mr Mclauchlan was also a generous supporter of charities including St Gemma's Hospice in Moortown, the Poppy Appeal and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
Roundhay club captain Mark Watts said: "There wasn't a sport he didn't know about."
He said a Federation prize-giving ceremony organised by Mr Mclauchlan at Gotts Park Municipal Golf Club in Leeds on Saturday would still be going ahead.
He said: "Bob wouldn't want to cancel anything."
Mr Dewar said the club planned to honour Mr Mclauchlan's memory with a fitting tribute but had not yet had a chance to decide how.
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Weather for Leeds
Saturday 19 May 2012
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Light rain
Temperature: 7 C to 10 C
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