Tributes were paid this week following the death of Myles Boddington, one of the leading figures in Oxfordshire golf over the past 40 years.

Mr Boddington, 77, from Signett Farm, Burford, held some of the top offices in the amateur game, but still kept in touch with the local club scene.

A single-figure golfer, he joined Burford GC as a young man after leaving Rugby School.

In 1962 he joined Frilford Heath, later becoming a life member of both clubs.

More recently, Mr Boddington became the first captain of The Oxfordshire GC from 1994-96 and was their president at the time of his death.

After being president of the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Union of Golf Clubs from 1972-74, he became president of the English Golf Union in 1978.

A member of the Royal and Ancient, golf's governing body, he became chairman of their amateur status and championship committees and was regarded as an expert on the rules of golf.

"Myles was a big man in stature and reputation," said his great frend Bob Stewart, a past secretary of the BB & O.

"He did such a lot for amateur golf, and the amateur golfer, and was always willing to take up their questions and follow them through."

Richard Moan, operations manager at the The Oxfordshire, said: "With his expert knowledge of the rules, Myles was very helpful when we were establishing the club and used to hold seminars on the rules."

Outside golf, Boddington was a farmer, who used to breed pigs as a sideline. He had a passionate interest in National Hunt racing.

He owned several racehorses, and incorporated the EGU colours into his racing colours.

His second wife, Peggy, whom he is survived by, used to own the 1973 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner The Dikler.

Many of his friends attended a thanksgiving service at St John The Baptist Parish Church, Burford yesterday.