HEW Squirrell – one of Wales’ and Hertfordshire’s most successful-ever amateur golfers – has passed away aged 87.
The Welsh international won five Welsh Amateur titles, represented his country in the Home Internationals 19 times between 1955 and 1975.
Squirrell was part of the first Wales team ever to beat England in 1961 and won a number of big competitions in the UK during his illustrious amateur career.
Hew, when asked about the victory over England back in 1961, said: “This was a big day for us, beating England for the first time, 12-3.
“Wales only narrowly lost to Ireland, we scored a record 23 points this year.”
Only Henry Howell heads Squirrell in Wales Golf’s history books with more Welsh Amateur titles – eight between 1920-32 while only Iestyn Tucker earned more Welsh caps in the Home International appearances with 25 between 1949-79.
Cardiff Golf Club member Squirrell also captained the Welsh Home International side three times – and was the first winner of the Berkhamsted Trophy in 1960.
Wales Golf chief’s praise for Hew
Wales Golf chief executive Richard Dixon said: “It is with great sadness we heard one of our most illustrious former internationals has passed away.
“Hew has a firm place in Welsh golfing history. It is remarkable to be second on the all-time lists both for representing Wales in the Home Internationals and winning the Welsh Amateur Championship.
“Given the changes to the game in the modern era it is extremely unlikely he will be overtaken in either listing.
“Wales struggled against the greater strength in-depth of the other nations in the early days of the Home Internationals.
“But Hew was part of a group of players who came through in the ’50s who made Wales competitive.
“Along with Tucker, George Duncan, Tony Duncan, Tudor Davies and others they turned round Welsh fortunes, including that first victory over England.”
The honorary member of Royal Porthcawl also won the French Amateur title.
Having come up through the ranks as a junior at Cardiff GC, Squirrell gained his first Wales cap in 1955.
After moving to England, he won the Hertfordshire County Championship twice in 1963 and 1973, while a member at Moor Park.
He was also the first-ever winner of the Hampshire Hog, at North Hants GC, which has been won by great amateurs including Sandy Lyle, Gary Wolstenholme, Surrey’s John Davies and Peter McEvoy.
Hew then joined Buckinghamshire’s Denham Golf Club, on the outskirts of London.
As well as winning the Welsh Amateur Championship three years in a row from 1958-60, and back-to-back in 1964 and 1965, Squirrell finished as runner-up twice in 1962 and 1971.
In recent years he returned to North Hants to present the Hampshire Hog trophy to winner Jack Senior in 2011.
That visit marked 50 years since the Welshman became the fifth winner, two years after international team-mate Tony Duncan, who was stationed in North Hampshire as an Army Colonel.
Hew’s son Daniel Squirrell said: “Many Welsh golf clubs hosted Dad on numerous occasions over his golfing career, they have provided Dad and the family many fond memories.”
But the final word goes to legendary golf writer Bernard Darwin who recorded, “Perhaps I may pay my respectful compliments to Hew Squirrell.
“An elegant player he may not be – but he is full of fight and hope and the most difficult man to beat in any company.”
