Senator Kim Swan yesterday paid tribute to Port Royal Golf Club chairman, Percy Reginald Tucker, OBE, JP, who was buried yesterday in St. George's.

United Bermuda Party Sen. Swan credits Mr. Tucker with raising a generation of golfers and helping to turn Bermuda into a popular golfing destination.

"I have a great admiration for the work he chaired,'' said Sen. Swan.

Mr. Tucker chaired the Board of Directors for the club since it's inception in the early 1970's until 1975.

Sen. Swan said Mr. Tucker was pivotal in establishing golf as a widely played sport on the Island.

"I think it would be my duty, having been just a country boy from Southampton, to recognise the contribution he made to the life of golf,'' said Sen. Swan.

"He did make a significant contribution to golf and I'm deeply indebted,'' the St. George's Golf Club pro added.

Sen. Swan said he was guided by Mr. Tucker and part of that legacy helped push the young pro into the PGA tour.

Progressive Labour Party MP Elvin James, also current Board chairman of the Port Royal Golf Club, said he did not know Mr. Tucker personally.

"But when I look around and see what has been done over the years, I can only have tremendous respect for him.

"If I can leave a legacy like that behind, I would be delighted. And others here at Port Royal, who may not have known him personally, will sympathise with his family,'' he added.

W.A. (Toppy) Cowen, who worked with Mr. Tucker at the Bank of Bermuda and the Port Royal Golf Club, said: "He was a wonderful man.

"When he spoke, the whole room shook but he was very fair, very understanding.

"Everybody knew when he was in the room. He really was a great man,'' Mr.

Cowen.

`Reggie' Tucker