Tribute has been paid to an eminent golf historian, scientist and teacher from St Andrews who has passed away at the age of 71.
Dr David Malcolm spent years researching the game and co-wrote an award-winning book about the father of the modern game, Tom Morris.
Doc Malc, as he was affectionately known, also worked in the zoology department at St Andrews University and taught science at Madras College.
Mark Richardson, secretary of the New Golf Club, of which Dr Malcolm was a life member, described him as “a very special man” and a “unique individual.”
He said, “He was an historian of special note and very popular among club members. We appreciated everything he did with the club, but also within the local community in protecting the interests of golf and making sure the history and traditions of the game were upheld.
“He will be sadly missed by everyone at the club.”
Born in Coaltown of Balgonie in 1939, Dr Malcolm developed a lifelong fascination with agriculture as he spent much of his childhood at his grandparents’ farm near St Monans.
After leaving Waid Academy, Anstruther, he studied at the East of Scotland Agriculture College, Edinburgh, gaining a National Diploma in agriculture.
He embarked on research work with the Danish Institute of Animal Husbandry before studying for a BSc in genetics at Edinburgh’s Medical Faculty of Human Sciences.
After his graduation in 1964, Dr Malcolm developed tissue-typing procedures at Johns Hopkins University, and then embarked on postgraduate research on the human genome at Cambridge, Pittsburgh and Madison universities.
Post-doctoral research in several German universities followed his award of a PhD in RNA/DNA relationships in the mammalian genome.
Dr Malcolm moved to St Andrews in 1972 and began working at the university before beginning 20 years of teaching at Madras.
A single-figure handicapper, he was a member of the New Golf Club for 53 years, serving as captain in 1993 and becoming a life member in 2005.
His passion for and research into the game took him to national libraries around the UK and overseas, including New York.
Tom Morris Of St Andrews The Colossus Of Golf 1821-1908 was written with Peter Crabtree and a one-off edition was bought by Sir Nick Faldo at a charity auction for £15,000.
Dr Malcolm was a popular speaker on golf and wrote a weekly column. He also wrote articles for The Guardian, Golf Weekly, The New York Times and The Scots Magazine.
He leaves behind his wife Ruth, who is an artist, children Jamie and Toby, stepdaughter Sophie and grandchildren Tom and Zosia.
At his request, his body has been bequeathed to medical science.