Golf: Tiger-chasing golf official equally at home among the bunnies

Fred Henderson. Photo / Supplied

Fred Henderson walked with Tiger but was equally at home controlling the golfing bunnies on New Zealand courses.

No great player himself, Henderson, who died in Auckland on Tuesday, devoted himself to the rules and handicapping systems under which all golfers compete. He could rightly be described as the father of the handicapping and course rating system under which amateur golf is played in this country.

But his influence extended to the professional game at the top level. He was a high-profile referee who officiated around the world. He refereed at a World Cup, the World Matchplay, 10 British Opens, five Irish Opens, several European professional tournaments and two Eisenhower Trophy world amateur events.

At the 1996 British Open, he was assigned the group comprising Tiger Woods, Darren Clark and Retief Goosen and a couple of years later walked Royal Birkdale with Jack Nicklaus and Payne Stewart.

He was an advisory member of the rules of golf and amateur status committees of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, and was still an active member on the same committees for New Zealand Golf.

Despite bouts of ill-health in recent years, the soft-spoken Aucklander was happy to offer his services at even the most mundane local amateur events, patrolling the fairways in a golf-cart, recalling his youthful motorsport efforts in the company of such New Zealand greats as Tom Clark in his big red Ferrari.

Henderson came to golf after two decades as a senior rugby referee. He was an influential figure for 30 years in the game's administration, serving as president of Auckland and later of New Zealand Golf. He became a life member of New Zealand Golf in 2006. At the time he died he was a member of the Royal Auckland Golf Club.

Fred Henderson is survived by his wife, Jill, daughters Tracey and Torie, son-in-law Brent and grandson Nick. His funeral will be at St Mary's in Holy Trinity, Parnell, Auckland, tomorrow at 2pm.