Wayne May brought the same qualities that helped shape a storied career with the RCMP to his time as a volunteer rules official with British Columbia Golf.
Humility, kindness, integrity and a wonderful sense of humour are just some of the attributes used to describe May, who recently passed after a courageous battle with cancer. On the golf course, May delivered his rulings with a compassionate tone after always taking time to listen to players.
“He had such a great rapport with the players,” said Greg Moody, a past president of British Columbia Golf and a longtime rules official. “I think that probably came from his RCMP training. He was such a great people person. And he wasn’t the type of referee hiding in the trees looking for speeders. He was just really good at his job and a great human being.”
May began his second career as a golf rules official nearly two decades ago following an illustrious 35-year career with the RCMP. The Newfoundland native rose through the ranks to become an Inspector in Ottawa and Superintendent in Vancouver, where his responsibilities included protecting the highest level of government.
As a rules official, May often had to deliver bad news to players in stressful situations. Moody and fellow British Columbia Golf rules official Brent Lindberg said May always handled those situations with considerable aplomb.
“He was a gentle giant, really,” Lindberg said. “He was a big man, but always had a smile on his face. He always spoke very calmly to players. He was calm and cool under pressure. You never saw him get hot under the collar. I think that had a lot to do with his RCMP training.”
May’s wife of 55 years, Rosalie, followed him into the rules of golf and also worked as a rules official. The Mays were a delight to be around during those long days on the road. British Columbia Golf’s championship events are scattered across the province and rules officials and other tournament volunteers often work from dawn until dusk.
The volunteers frequently share a house during the week of an event and become like a second family to one another. Wayne and Rosalie were always front and centre preparing meals or organizing late-night visits to area restaurants. The house was always filled with laughter when Wayne and Rosalie were present and the occasional glass of wine was enjoyed.
“They have a great sense of humour and, like me, enjoyed their red wine,” Moody said. “I put them onto Kettle Valley Old Main Red. They went up to the vineyard and bought about three cases one time.”
May didn’t just work British Columbia Golf championship events. He regularly worked the former Canadian Tour qualifying school in Courtenay, Vancouver Golf Tour events and Golf Canada tournaments. He also served as a vice-chair of Zone 3 for British Columbia Golf.
“Wayne always carried himself with class and dignity,” Lindberg said. “We’d discuss various rulings and he would look to me for my rules expertise and knowledge. I would watch and learn how he handled himself on the course. I learned a lot from him.”
May, a Langley resident, died July 14. His Catholic faith was extremely important to May and a well-attended funeral mass and reception was held July 23 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Langley.
“Those fortunate enough to know Wayne will remember far more than his accomplishments,” his family said in his obituary. “They will remember his smiling eyes, his quick wit, and the wonderfully cheeky humour that was never far from the surface. He had a rare gift for making others feel comfortable, welcomed, and valued, leaving every conversation just a little brighter than he found it.”
May, who was 80, is survived by his wife Rosalie, sons Damian and Michael, daughter-in-law Nicole and grandchildren Abbey Rose and Maddix Johnny.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the B.C. Cancer Foundation.