Newport Golf Club stalwart Gilbert Davis dies at age of 90

Gilbert Davis joined the club at the age of eight in 1942 and, apart from a year off when doing his national service, remained a member until he died on August 12 aged 90 after a short illness.

Davis, a successful solicitor in the city, took on a variety of roles at Newport, from caddying to visiting American GIs to becoming captain in 1982.

He was president from 2004 to 2006, joining his two older brothers Tom and Michael Davis and his brother-in-law Roger Morris, who also took on those roles.

As an accomplished player and fiercely competitive, he won several club competitions, including the Ladyhill cup three times and the Humber Cup, a mixed foursomes event he won with his wife Anne.

He played regularly until 10 months before his death, becoming a member of the Monday Club of veterans who play every week.

Davis was awarded life membership of Newport Golf club last year at a special sitting of the committee.

PAIRING: Gilbert Davis won the Humber Cup with his wife Anne (Image: Submitted)

“Gilbert was a wonderful man with a fantastic sense of humour,” said club manager Rhys Morgan in an email to all members. “He was and always will be a huge part of Newport Golf Club.”

As his mobility faded in his 80s, Gilbert was granted permission to keep his own personal buggy at the club, the only member to receive this honour, and was a popular sight on the course as he sped from hole to hole with his clubs tied loosely to the back.

He turned the buggy over many times in his eagerness to play the next shot, breaking various bones as he did so.

Davis was also a popular figure at the 19th hole where he would enjoy the hospitality of the clubhouse, and he would regale fellow members and staff with tales of more than 80 years of club life over a glass or two of wine.

STALWART: Former Newport GC captain and president Gilbert Davis (Image: Submitted)

He would check the status of the course online every day until the day he died and was passionate about club traditions and its history.

He enjoyed helping to draft many of the club’s rules and regulations and he even appeared on radio and TV to talk about the club and regularly followed players as they represented Newport across the country. Davies worked as a solicitor at the family firm Le Brasseur Davis and Sons based on Stow Hill.

He joined the firm in 1954 after completing his national service and giving up a place at Cambridge to work first with his father John and brother Tom, then with his daughter Claire.

Davis was also a judge in tribunals dealing with social security benefits while he played cricket for Newport and the South Wales Hunt, hockey for Monmouthshire and tennis for his local club Stow Park, which was conveniently situated opposite the family home where he lived happily for 60 years, close to his many friends.

Davis is survived by his four children, seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren and his funeral will take place at St Mary’s Church in Newport in September. Call Tovey Bros on 01633 266 848 for more details.