A NORTH-EAST golf captain’s dying wish has been honoured with a bridge in his memory on the course he loved playing.

Kevin Lillie, 61, was captain of the George Washington Hotel Golf Club when he contracted Aplastic Anaemia and died in hospital just a few months later.

The former electrical engineer was taken into hospital in October 2018 and died in January 2019 but his wish has been honoured with a new stone bridge on the sixth hole.

The bridge was built by his two sons, Gavin and Philip, and dedicated to his memory with a plaque in his honour. The first people to cross the bridge were Kevin’s grandchildren Jasmine, aged nine, and five-year-old Paige.

Gavin and Philip said: “It was a very proud and emotional moment for us all. Our dad was passionate about his golf and was a member of the club for over 35 years.

“He was originally from Biddick Hall in South Shields, and proud of it, but he loved being in Washington and he loved the George Washington Golf Club.

“He was thrilled to be golf captain and we know that the bridge was something he had had in mind long before he was taken ill.’’

George Washington Golf Club manager, Bill Michie, said: “It’s a fitting tribute to Kevin that he will be part of the course for good now.

“A new bridge was something that had been on the club’s radar for a long time and it will always be associated with Kevin.

“Everyone was stunned by his unexpected death because he was a fit and well man, regularly out on the golf course.

“He’ll be remembered as a real character with a great sense of humour – knowing that this bridge was built in his memory would have brought a big smile to his face.”

ONE of the North’s main golf amateur tournaments will once again be looking to crown a champion at Rockliffe Hall on Sunday, September 22.

This Northern Golf Masters challenges the best club golfers from across Teesside, County Durham, North Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear, Northumberland and Cumbria.

The 18-hole scratch competition, which is part of the Durham County Order of Merit, is for category one golfers.

For more information and to enter call the Professional Shop on 01325 729980 or email golf@rockliffehall.com