John Paramor, golf referee described by Tiger Woods as ‘one of the all-time best rules officials’ – obituary

John Paramor, who has died aged 67, was one of the most celebrated and admired administrators of the Rules of Golf, and his international reputation for applying those rules fairly and compassionately became his trademark.

In a career spanning five decades Paramor earned the respect of the world’s leading golfers. Tiger Woods described him as “one of the all-time best rules officials”, while Rory McIlroy said: “John was always a friendly face; I always loved my conversations with him.”

Those conversations with players were often extremely public, as was the case with Seve Ballesteros on the final hole of the 1994 Volvo Masters at Valderrama in Spain. Ballesteros was tied for the lead with Bernhard Langer. The Spaniard, surrounded by loyal spectators eager for him to win the title for the first time, pushed his drive beside a well-established tree with a massive hole behind it where his ball had settled.

Ballesteros called for a ruling and Paramor arrived. Ballesteros felt he should receive a free drop because his swing would be impeded by the hole – which he believed to have been made by a burrowing animal, for which the rules allow for relief. Such a ruling would also have allowed him to (conveniently) drop away from the tree.

A 20-minute conversation ensued during which Paramor, examining the hole – prodding his finger into it – felt a “large paw on my shoulder” and Ballesteros whispered “Be careful – it might bite!”

In Paramor’s view, however, there was no evidence – droppings – of the hole being made by a burrowing animal and eventually he shook his head. “So you say No?” said Ballesteros. “Yes, Seve, it’s a No,” said Paramor. Ballesteros lost by one shot to Langer.

One of three children, John Norrie Paramor was born on April 4 1955 in London; his father was Norrie Paramor, the record producer, composer and bandleader well known for his work with Cliff Richard and the Shadows, and Joan.

On leaving school, he worked in a steel forge factory in the West Midlands, funding his passion for playing golf; he held a handicap of one and won the Middlesex Open and the Surrey Amateur.

In 1975 he caddied on the PGA European Tour for Peter Butler, the Ryder Cup player, who played every practice round with Neil Coles, Clive Clark and Bernard Hunt. Paramor decided that his game would not enable him to compete at their level, and Butler arranged for him to be interviewed by Ken Schofield, the executive director of the PGA European Tour. Paramor was Schofield’s first appointment, and he started work as an administrator in April 1976, the day after his 21st birthday.

Paramor held many roles with the Tour, including director of tour operations, but it was as chief referee from 1998 that he forged his reputation as the world’s finest and fairest official, applying the rules with compassion and common sense. He refereed at more than 1,000 tournaments, including more than 100 majors, in more than 50 countries; his face became recognisable to millions of TV viewers as he arrived on a buggy, either to clarify a situation or to give a gentle reminder to “hurry up”.

In 2016 he had an important role in the Tour’s policies, updating its approach to Pace of Play, and the same year he was chief referee for the men’s event on golf’s return to the Olympic Games.

As an adviser for The Royal & Ancient’s Rules of Golf Committee he played his part in the evolution of the Rules and the way they are taught around the world. He revolutionised the rules in securing referees to use their own judgment when a player is seen to do the right thing, has not got it too badly wrong – even if it is technically incorrect – and has gained no advantage, where a penalty is not necessarily required. He regarded it as “a fantastic addition to the Rules of Golf for those who work in it as referees.”

Paramor’s calmness was an important factor behind the scenes at the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor Resort in Wales, when bad weather threatened to seriously disrupt the match between Europe and the United States. An improvised structure to enable one team to reach the winning target of 14½ points was conceived by George O’Grady, who had succeeded Schofield as chief executive of the European Tour, and Paramor, as the Ryder Cup chief referee, implemented the format with the support and trust of the two captains, Colin Montgomerie and Corey Pavin.

The match was concluded, albeit one day late, and Andy McFee, Paramor’s colleague from 1983 and his closest friend, said: “This was John at his finest: clear thinking under intense pressure, diplomatic and persuasive.”

Well known for his zest for life, his infectious enthusiasm, sense of humour and modesty, Paramor retired in 2020. “I’ve loved my life in golf,” he said. “I’ve been very lucky to work with some fantastic people, some absolutely brilliant players and I owe them for the chance it’s given me to try and help them.”

John Paramor is survived by his wife, Katie, and their three children.

John Paramor, born April 4 1955, died February 17 2023