by the RAF as runways. When asked, later in life, if he regretted not being able capitalise on the Open Championship win he replied "I was lucky enough…a lot of those who watched me at St Andrews also went off to war and they never came back. Some of my friends didn’t make it either, I did." Burton also helped the war effort by raising money for the Red Cross by playing charity matches with Henry Cotton, who was also serving in the RAF. In the spring of 1946, he wrote to the Royal and Ancient, "Dear Sirs, Please find enclosed my fee of five guineas for this year's Open. I will bring the trophy back when I come." Burton is still celebrated at Sale Golf Club. Every year the club holds the Richard Burton Trophy on the weekend of the Open Championship, and have a display including the putter he used to win the Open. In later life, he was the club professional at Coombe Hill Golf Club in Kingston, Surrey. His assistant there was Neil Coles. Burton once bet a rival that he could beat him using only a putter. He lost his bet, but only on the 18th hole. When Burton played fourball with other members, rather than pair up with a member, he would play against all three, and give full handicaps. He still won more often than not. Also, Burton reputedly hit the 120-yard 17th hole with every club in his bag, including the putter. Burton died in hospital on 30 January 1974 after a long illness. Tournament wins (14) 1934 Northern Professional Championship 1935 Dunlop-Northern Tournament 1936 Yorkshire Evening News Tournament 1937 Dunlop-Southport Tournament 1938 Manchester and District Professional Championship 1939 Open Championship, True Temper Foursomes Tournament (with Fred Robson), Manchester and District Professional Championship 1940 Daily Mail Tournament, Manchester and District Professional Championship 1946 Surrey Open Championship 1949 Silver King Tournament, News Chronicle Tournament 1953 Surrey Open Championship Major championships Wins (1) Results timeline Note: Burton never played in the Masters Tournament or the PGA Championship. NT = no tournament CUT = missed the half-way cut "T" indicates a tie for a place Team appearances Ryder Cup (representing Great Britain): 1935, 1937, 1949 England–Scotland Professional Match (representing England): 1935 (winners), 1936 (winners), 1937 (winners), 1938 (winners) Coronation Match (representing the Ladies and Professionals): 1937 Llandudno International Golf Trophy (representing England): 1938 (winners) References