THE former starter on the world-famous Old Course in St Andrews, David Christie was known to celebrities and golfers around the world.

Christie, who retired in 1995 aged 65, was the last in a long line of dedicated starters to be solely involved with the Old Course. Administration changes introduced some years ago by St Andrews Links Trust now mean a system is in operation where the team of starters alternate from course to course.

During his career on the links, which stretched some two decades, Christie became known to many of the game's golfing greats, including Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus, as well as famous personalities, such as Bob Hope, Clint Eastwood, Sir Sean Connery and ex-US president George Bush.

He and his late wife, Sarah, also became friendly with the American country singer, Glen Campbell, and they visited him in the US.

Like the thousands of ordinary golfers over the years, they had come under starter's orders on the first tee of the championship links from the former career soldier. Many of the celebrities marked their visit to St Andrews with a message and signature in his golf book.

He also learned his familiar call of "play away now, please" in German, Japanese, Swedish and French.

Born in St Andrews, Christie became a familiar figure to the thousands of golfers from all over the world who f locked to the game's Mecca during his 20 years on the links.

A keen golfer himself until being injured in a parachute accident, Christie served for 28 years with the Parachute Regiment. He attained the rank of warrant officer and served in anti-terrorist campaigns in the Far East and Near East as a qualified drill, weapons and tactics and parachute instructor.

During his Army career, he was selected by his regiment for four years' duty at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, where he put future officers through their paces, including the Sultan of Brunei.

Christie also represented his regiment at hockey, won trophies at shooting and was a proficient boxer, representing the Army as a welterweight - he was champion of his regiment in 1948 - and later qualified as a referee and coach. In later life he was a keen bowler and was a member of St Andrews Bowling Club.

On his return to civilian life in 1975, he was appointed as caddie-master at the St Andrews links before taking up his post as starter on the Old Course within three years.

Predeceased by his wife, Sarah, he is survived by daughter Angela, son Alistair and five grandchildren.