A member of the PGA of Great Britain and Ireland when he moved to Australia in 1952, Twite became a member of the PGA of Australia in 1955 when he took up the Head Professional role at Metropolitan.

He would become a beloved figure at the Melbourne Sandbelt club over the next seven decades, celebrating 70 years as a PGA Professional in July last year and continuing to coach well into his 90s.

That legacy will live on through the Brian Twite Coaching Pavilion which was opened at Metropolitan in 2023.

An England native, Twite’s formative years as a PGA Professional were influenced greatly by legendary English Professionals Harry Vardon, Henry Cotton and Arthur Lees.

It was during his time with Lees at Sunningdale Golf Club that Twite was enticed to Australia to take up the role as Head Professional at one of Melbourne’s most revered golf clubs.

What was initially intended to be a temporary placement became a life-long love affair; a letter penned by biographer and 50-year Metropolitan member, Gillian Ednie, to commemorate Twite’s contribution to the club and to golf was read by a club representative to Twite in his final hours on Tuesday, June 9.

“It is not every day that a young caddie from a family of 12 travels to the other side of the world and becomes woven into the fabric of one of Australia’s finest golf clubs,” the letter writes.

“Your contribution to Metropolitan, to Australian golf, and to thousands of people whose lives you have enriched through your teaching, wisdom and example, has been exceptional.

“The honours that followed – including Life Membership of Metropolitan, induction into the Victorian Golf Industry Hall of Fame, and appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia – reflect the esteem in which you are held.

“Yet, those honours tell only part of the story. Those who know you best admire not only what you achieved, but the integrity, humour, generosity and unwavering standards with which you achieved it.

“Although your 100th birthday still lies a short distance ahead, it was felt there was no reason to wait for a particular date to express our gratitude, admiration and affection.”

Born on August 23, 1926 in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, Twite served with the Royal Navy during the Second World War, before commencing his life as a golf Professional.

He qualified for the 1951 Open Championship at Royal Portrush and, with the support of the membership at Metropolitan, would return to Portrush 73 years later for the 2024 Open Championship.

Twite served as the Head Professional at Metropolitan from 1955 until 1994, but remained an indelible part of the club’s fabric thereafter.

In 2013, he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his services to the sport of golf as an administrator and mentor, enhancing the experience of golfers from the youngest juniors through to major champions including Greg Norman, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.

“It is indeed a sad day when a visit to Metropolitan Golf Club will no longer include a chat with Brian Twite,” said PGA of Australia Chair and 1991 Open champion, Ian Baker-Finch.

“Brian’s passion for golf and willingness to share his insights into the golf swing were infectious.

“He understood that every golfer had a unique swing and possessed an innate ability to identify how to make even the greatest players in the world just that little bit better.

“And he did it in such a way that made you want to spend more time absorbing every ounce of knowledge he had to share.”

Twite’s 70 years of membership of the PGA of Australia were celebrated at Metropolitan last July; PGA of Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman paying tribute to the imprint he has left on the Association.

“You will find few more respected PGA Members around the world than Brian Twite,” said Kirkman.

“From the day he began as the Head Professional in 1955, Brian connected with the members at Metropolitan Golf Club in such a way that he would himself be made a Life Member of the club.

“He upheld the great traditions of the PGA Professionals who came before him and through his nature, made our sport more enjoyable for many thousands of Australian golfers.

“Brian was always happy to share his thoughts and insights to help his fellow PGA Professionals and was a wonderful mentor to those who obtained their PGA qualifications under his tutelage.

“At every level of the sport in this country, Brian Twite made an imprint that will never be forgotten.”

Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland paid tribute to Twite’s influence on golf in Australia throughout his 71 years as a PGA Professional.

“There must be thousands upon thousands of people who are today reflecting on how Brian Twite helped them to fall madly in love with golf,” said Sutherland.

“Through his coaching and gentle nature, Brian allowed beginners of all ages to feel as though they belonged in golf and helped them to find the joy in a crisply struck 6-iron.

“And while he had the ears of the game’s best players, his influence on junior golf spawned a new generation of golfers that now carry his legacy forward.”

Twite passed peacefully in the early evening of Tuesday, June 9 having fought bravely for some weeks.