Scottish Open Players Wearing Black Ribbons to Honor St. Andrews Golf Instructor

Bill McColl, 66, died in a car accident near St. Andrews this week, while on his way to give a golf lesson.

NORTH BERWICK, Scotland - Players are wearing black ribbons at the Scottish Open this week to honor Bill McColl, a former European Tour player and golf instructor.

A note to players this week at the Scottish Open

On Monday, July 10th, McColl was in a two-car accident on the Links Crescent, just a stone’s throw away from the Old Course at St. Andrews and died in the accident.

McColl, 66, was reported to have had a sudden medical emergency while driving to St. Andrews where he worked at St. Andrews Indoor Golf Center as an instructor.

An emergency helicopter was dispatched to St. Andrews and forced the closure of the first and 18th hole on the Old Course for an hour as the helicopter landed and stayed on the 18th fairway with hopes of saving McColl.

Born and raised in Dundee, Scotland, McColl's dedication to golf led him to become a respected figure within the European Tour community and as a player he won the 1991 PGA Club Professionals Championship, the 1984 Ivory Coast Open and competed in seven major championships.