Hugh Paterson was a sporting ‘visionary’

Mourners from rugby and golf are remembering a St Andrean who became an influential figure in both sports.
Hugh PatersonHugh Paterson
Hugh Paterson

St Andrews born Hugh Paterson, who lost his battle against cancer at the age of 69, spent his younger years in the town before moving to the north of England.

Hugh was the son of the renowned St Andrean, A.B.Paterson, a freelance journalist and the founder of the Byre Theatre in the town.

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Educated at Madras College and Dollar Academy, he played rugby for Madras College FP, and was a long-time member of the XIXth Hole Golf Club of St Andrews.

“Hugh’s passing will leave a huge void in rugby locally, and I’m sure it will be the same in golf,” said Ian Jackson, who succeeds him as chairman at Tarleton RUFC near Preston.

“He was instrumental in our club’s start-up.

“He had the vision to develop a community rugby club for all ages and the passion and drive to achieve this objective.”

Hugh was born in St Andrews in May 1950.

He went on to study at Dunfermline College of Physical Education before embarking on a career in local government.

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His first post was in community development with Fife Council.

After that he was recreation officer at Dunfermline District Council before moving south of the border to become principal sport and recreation officer at Watford Council.

From there he moved to the North West of England to become deputy director of leisure with West Lancashire Council and up to his retirement he was deputy director of recreation and leisure at Wigan Metropolitan Council.

Moving to Lancashire in 1984 he helped found Tarleton as a junior rugby club in 1990.

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Hugh had been a member of Penwortham Golf Club since 1992 and became captain in 2011.

He had two spells as a director of the club including the last four years.

Hugh’s funeral will be this Friday, March 20, at West Lancashire Crematorium in Burscough (4pm).

He leaves wife Carol, three sons Michael, Alistair and Andrew, stepson Thomas and three granddaughters Ophelia, Amelia and Larissa.

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