South Coast golfing icon mourned
During the last year of his life Doug was unable to play golf any longer, but proved his dedication to Nomads by attending every prizegiving.
Friends, family and the golfing community was struck with tragic news last Friday – golfing legend Doug Milne died at his Margate Retirement Village home at the age of 91.
Doug was born at his grandmother’s home in Florida, Johannesburg in 1938. He would later go on to become a quantity surveyor and established his own company in 1953.
He married his first wife that same year. They were together for 47 years before her death in 2000. The couple had three daughters – the late Gail Fisher, Jill Lipiatt and his youngest daughter Shelley Vergottini.
“He had a very even temperament, his voice and aura never changed even when angry. He was quiet yet stern in his beliefs, a very strict but fair family man who loved having his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren around,” said Jill.
Through his company, Doug built schools in Pinetown and Chatsworth, and even added upgrades to the Margate police station.
In 1961, Doug joined the Nomads (golf club) where he never missed a single game. In 2018, he set a Nomads club record after he completed his 650th game for the club.
“Doug Milne was a very special man in the eyes of Nomads. He treated everyone with respect, as an equal and as a friend. Doug was always willing to help,” said Sean Willis, captain of the Southern Natal Nomads.
During the last year of his life Doug was unable to play golf any longer, but proved his dedication to Nomads by attending every prizegiving.
His second wife Pat whom he married in 2003, also the mother of his step-children Ally Snyman and Ian Halle, also joined the Nomads fold and assisted many years at the match secretary’s table.
With a strong legacy cemented, Doug’s memory will continue to live through his four granddaughters and his eight great-grandchildren who range from the ages of seven months to 20-years-old.
A memorial service takes place this Saturday (23rd) at the St. Margaret’s Anglican Church in Margate and will be streamed live on YouTube.
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