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I met him at a corporate Golf Day about 8 years ago, and he was the evening after-dinner speaker. Our four-ball was a player short, so the organisers slotted him in with us. I played even worse than usual for the first couple of holes and you could see him thinking "this is going to be a long day". I managed to find form after that and was ok, and throughout the remaining 25 holes (we had 9 in the morning and 18 in the afternoon), he was an absolute gent. Full of stories about his career, football etc, and a genuinely nice, funny guy. He did tell us that he hadn't touched a snooker cue for a number of years as he got the yips and simply couldn't play, and that he'd lost most of his money through gambling..... then lo and behold, two holes later, he whipped out a pocket radio from his golf bag to catch some horse race or other!
When dinner came and went, and he got up to give his after-dinner speech, he went out of his way to thank us for including him in our four-ball and making him feel welcome.
He signed my scorecard, I've still got it somewhere.
Willie Thorne RIP on 09:13 - Jun 17 by ITFC_Forever
That is awful news.
I met him at a corporate Golf Day about 8 years ago, and he was the evening after-dinner speaker. Our four-ball was a player short, so the organisers slotted him in with us. I played even worse than usual for the first couple of holes and you could see him thinking "this is going to be a long day". I managed to find form after that and was ok, and throughout the remaining 25 holes (we had 9 in the morning and 18 in the afternoon), he was an absolute gent. Full of stories about his career, football etc, and a genuinely nice, funny guy. He did tell us that he hadn't touched a snooker cue for a number of years as he got the yips and simply couldn't play, and that he'd lost most of his money through gambling..... then lo and behold, two holes later, he whipped out a pocket radio from his golf bag to catch some horse race or other!
When dinner came and went, and he got up to give his after-dinner speech, he went out of his way to thank us for including him in our four-ball and making him feel welcome.
He signed my scorecard, I've still got it somewhere.
RIP Willie, and thank-you for a fantastic day.
Love it. Thanks for sharing that.
Indeed, RIP Willie, I'll always associate his soothing Leicester accent with the snooker. He was before my time as a player but thoroughly enjoyed his commentary.
Willie Thorne RIP on 09:13 - Jun 17 by ITFC_Forever
That is awful news.
I met him at a corporate Golf Day about 8 years ago, and he was the evening after-dinner speaker. Our four-ball was a player short, so the organisers slotted him in with us. I played even worse than usual for the first couple of holes and you could see him thinking "this is going to be a long day". I managed to find form after that and was ok, and throughout the remaining 25 holes (we had 9 in the morning and 18 in the afternoon), he was an absolute gent. Full of stories about his career, football etc, and a genuinely nice, funny guy. He did tell us that he hadn't touched a snooker cue for a number of years as he got the yips and simply couldn't play, and that he'd lost most of his money through gambling..... then lo and behold, two holes later, he whipped out a pocket radio from his golf bag to catch some horse race or other!
When dinner came and went, and he got up to give his after-dinner speech, he went out of his way to thank us for including him in our four-ball and making him feel welcome.
He signed my scorecard, I've still got it somewhere.
RIP Willie, and thank-you for a fantastic day.
I think he was a regular on the celebrity golf circuit; he played in 1 event in which I participated a few years ago. Although I didn't meet him, those who played with him had nothing but praise for him & I think he was a useful golfer as well. I'm surprised a player of his ability didn't win more tournaments, but although a supreme break builder, maybe his safety wasn't quite up to scratch.. I've never forgotten how he somehow lost the 1985 UK Championship to Steve Davis after leading 13-8 & then missing a straightforward blue off its spot to go 14-8 ahead.
Willie Thorne RIP on 12:54 - Jun 17 by Radlett_blue
I think he was a regular on the celebrity golf circuit; he played in 1 event in which I participated a few years ago. Although I didn't meet him, those who played with him had nothing but praise for him & I think he was a useful golfer as well. I'm surprised a player of his ability didn't win more tournaments, but although a supreme break builder, maybe his safety wasn't quite up to scratch.. I've never forgotten how he somehow lost the 1985 UK Championship to Steve Davis after leading 13-8 & then missing a straightforward blue off its spot to go 14-8 ahead.
GRE sports club used to have top snooker players in for events, I believe Thorne, Virgo and Higgins were the ones who were too of the list to be re-invited.
Was never lucky enough to meet him, despiteWillie being very unwell, my Dad's half cousin who is a Comedian has been hosting a "weekly chat from his home" on Facebook - Willie was posting messages to Pat concerned about Pat and his family, despite being very ill himself -
Luckily Pat's good friend, Mr Christopher Sutton has been doing Radio 5's "606" with Ally B B, so he didn't join in!!
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Willie Thorne RIP on 14:01 - Jun 17 with 1414 views
He was probably my favourite player back in the day. Not quite the charisma of a White or Higgins, or successful as Davis or Hendry, but he was a solid break builder who played at a good tempo and always played in the right spirit, with a smile.
Seemed a lovely guy. Always remember his appearance on Fantasy League where he was wonderfully self-effacing.
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