A FORMER miner who became a greensman at Drax Golf Club has died at the age of 55.

Elvin Dickinson, who was also a keen golfer, was planning on taking a holiday with his son, Paul, who is a soldier and has recently returned from his second tour of Afghanistan.

A message on the club’s website read: “Elvin was one of the founder members of the golf club and was the Men’s Club Captain in 1995. He was a much-loved character and an important member of our greens staff.

“He will be sadly missed by all those who knew him, played golf with him, or just had a good gossip with him on the course or in the clubhouse.”

Bill Scott, a former chairman of the club, regularly golfed with Mr Dickinson.

He said: “He was absolutely brilliant. He was great fun, friendly, and a good golfer, and he would do anything for anyone. It’s such a loss to the club.

“On Sunday mornings we used to have the Sunday crew out of season time. We’d all meet up and play socially, and he was always there, getting the course ready to start for 8am, then he’d join us.”

Mr Dickinson worked for several years at Kellingley Colliery before retraining as a greensman.

Next month, Mr Dickinson, who had a handicap of 11, was due to travel to Florida with Paul to play the famous Sawgrass Mills course.

Denise Smith, secretary of Drax Golf Club, said: “He was club captain in 1995, one of our founder members, and has been a very valued member of our staff since he came to us. He was very well loved by the golfers.

“We’re devastated down here, the members and everyone loved him. It is terrible, so tragic and unexpected. We’re going to miss him dreadfully.”

Mr Dickinson died suddenly at his Buckle Court home on Tuesday, May 15. His funeral will be held at Pontefract Crematorium on Tuesday, May 29, at 10.40am, followed by a gathering at Drax Sports and Social Club.