One of the giants of golf coaching around the world, Bob Torrance, who helped so many golfers ‘find the holy grail’, has passed away at the age of 82.

Son Sam Torrance, the vice captain for the forthcoming Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, tweeted the news on Friday evening at around 6.30pm: “Sad day - my dad just passed away in his sleep #reallygoingtomisshim “ The young Sam Torrance perfected his craft under the charge of his father at Routenburn Golf Club in Largs.

One of Bob’s top pupils, Padraig Harrington, led the tributes. He said: “He was the greatest golf coach in the world and he was a father figure to me after my own dad passed away. Every single player he worked with was a ball striker and they won tournaments. My majors would never have happened without Bob. Not a chance. He was absolutely a critical part of me winning major tournaments.

“So, there is a great legacy from Bob, none more so than his son Sam, and I’m sure Sam and June will dearly miss him, But I don’t think anybody should have any regrets because Bob lived a full life.

“It is kind of appropriate that he died during the Open Championship.

“He loved his golf and worked with anybody on the range from dawn till dusk.” The 14 times major champion Tiger Woods said: “I knew Bob for a lot of years. He had been fantastic to me. We had a lot of great conversations about golf. I’m going to miss him very much.” First Minister Alex Salmond also paid tribute: “Bob was an inspiration to many in the world of golf. A dedicated coach and a true gentleman.” Routenburn Bob Torrance’s obsession with golf started as a teenager over the spectacular, hilly Routenburn course. At 19 he was a scratch golfer, and in 1953 he witnessed the American legendary champion Ben Hogan winning the British Open at Carnoustie. This was to have a great influence on his life as a golf coach.

Bob who visited Hogan at his home in Fort Worth, Texas commented: “All modern teaching comes from Hogan.” The Largs man turned professional as assistant at Largs Golf Club, and at the age of 20 got a post at Rossendale in Lancashire before returning as pro to Routenburn where son Sam was to hone his game on the way to becoming one of the world’s top golfers.

Sportscotland named the golf range at Inverclyde Centre, Largs as the Bob Torrance School, and his philosophy about the game was laid out in his autobiography ‘Room at the top - Golf the Torrance way.’ A long-time friend and leading golf writer Jim Black of Skelmorlie wrote: “He was a man’s man who had an unflinching tendency to call a spade a JCB in that gravelly voice of his and rarely bothered about the niceties of political correctness.” He recalled that Bob’s proudest moment was seeing Sam hold the winning putt at The Belfry in 1985 to win the Ryder Cup.

Bob also coached some of the British Ryder Cup team that Sam led, as captain, to victory at The Belfry in 2002.

Since his father became seriously ill earlier in the year Sam has spent recent months at the family home in Largs, supporting his mother June. Many golf professionals also made long journeys to visit Bob one last time.

BBC TV presenter Gary Lineker said: “Saddened to hear of the passing of Bob Torrance. One of golf’s truly wonderful characters.” There were many local tributes to the Torrance family on Facebook and Twitter.

Iain Macdonald said: “Thoughts are with Sam and the family, golf has lost a legend of a man. RIP BOB from The Largs Golf Club Greenstaff Team.” Largs Golf Club’s flag was at half mast, and their official Facebook account stated: “Sincere condolences go out to June, Sam and all the Torrance family from all at Largs Golf Club after the sad passing of Bob Torrance “The game of golf and the town of Largs has lost a great man. Rest In Peace Bob, a true legend.” Campbell Donaldson, a golf pro at Inverclyde Sports Centre where the Bob Torrance School of Golf is based, said: “I was at Inverclyde all this week; it was strange not having a chat and I laugh with him.

“He’ll be sitting up in heaven having a chat with Ben Hogan. Sad but he gave it a fight. RIP a true gent and a good friend.” Largs golfing enthusiast Sam Robinson who has two professional golfing sons said: “Both Paul and Colin were coached by Bob for about 7 years. Paul tweeted he would not even be a pro if it weren’t for Bob. Colin is too upset to post anything. Bob never in all the time he coached them took a penny; all he ever asked was they gave 100%.

The great and the good will say much about him but the man we knew was generous to a fault.” Reader Angela McAlees said: “He helped so many golfers find their holy grail.” In one of his last broadcast interviews, Bob Torrance told Graham Spiers on The Golf Show on Radio Scotland last year about his early memories: “I remember in my early days playing with my brother in law who had just got a new Dunlop 65 and cut it away into the big rough. And I walked straight to it. He said - you have a great eye for this game - he gave me a one iron and believe it or not I nailed it straight on the green - and that was me hooked then. I then studied everybody and all the great players.” “You can’t be a successful businessman unless you work at it, you can’t be a successful sportsman unless you work at it. There are some people that have more aptitude for the game but golf is a not a natural game, and you have to work really hard at it.

“You have got to work and listen - I have never had one golf pupil who has disagreed with what I told them to do.” Irishman Darren Clarke said: “I spent many, many days and hours with Bob up on the range up in Largs, Bob was a very, very special man. I would not be the golfer that I am without his help. He will be sadly missed on the turf and he was a character; difficult to understand at times, even for those of us who knew him. But he was a great man. And the world is a worse place without Bob Torrance.”” Sandy Lyle said; “Very sad to hear Bob has passed away. I will miss his deep voice - ‘That was your best swing yet’ - June and Sam, my thoughts are with you.” Ian Poulter said: “This is really sad news. An amazing man who coached so many great players. He will be missed.” Paul Lawrie said: “Mega sad to hear the new of Bob passing away - what a character he was.” Lee Westwood said: “I am really sorry to hear about Bob - We are all going to miss him.” Sergio Garcia said: “Very sad to hear the passing of the true golf coaching legend Bob Torrance. Our best wishes and love to June and Sam at this time.” The professionals wore black bands at the Open at Liverpool last week after hearing of the Largs golf guru’s passing.