“A straight talker, who loved his golf and loved Bermuda.”

That was how friends remembered Jack Wahl yesterday as news of the popular Canadian’s death spread across the Island.

Mr Wahl was a familiar face on the golf courses of Bermuda and had been a member of the Mid Ocean Club since 1980. The retired oil and gas firm boss won several local tournaments as an amateur and a senior, and he also captained Bermuda’s 1984 Eisenhower Cup side in the Far East.

Mr Wahl, of Pembroke, passed away last week in Bermuda at the age of 90.

Keith Pearman, who was the golf professional at the Mid Ocean Club for 35 years, described Mr Wahl as a “fierce competitor” who had a kind heart behind his stern glare.

“I was fortunate to get to know Jack quite well during my time at the Mid Ocean,” said Mr Pearman.

“He had something of a Clint Eastwood look about him and had a stern gaze when he was on the golf course.

‘But he was also a really kind guy too. He had a great laugh, that would make everyone else laugh too.

“Jack was a real tough competitor, he would always rise to whatever challenge was in front of him.

“Every year when we held the Bermuda Invitational he would invite all the guys from abroad around his house.

“He loved Bermuda and he was passionate about his golf.

“What I will always remember is that when he said something was wrong, it was wrong. He was a straight talker, who always spoke from the hip.”

Mr Wahl was the Mid Ocean Men’s Golf Captain between 1987 and 1990.

He was also the men’s club champion in 1983, 1984 and 1989 as well as the Mid Ocean men’s invitation senior champion in 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1990.

Former multiple Bermuda amateur champion, Hav Trott, was part of the 1984 Bermuda team that took part in the Eisenhower Cup in Hong Kong that Mr Wahl captained.

Mr Trott told The Royal Gazette: “We played together on the golf course on many occasions — he was a super guy.

“He was very competitive and worked hard at his game. He was also a very successful golfer in Bermuda over the years. But he was also a genuine gentleman and a nice human being.

“Even though he had not been able to play golf for some time I would occasionally see him down on the putting green at the Mid Ocean from time to time.”

Golfer, Bees Ingham, added: “Jack made a great impact on Bermuda, especially in the senior’s section.

“He kept to himself but was a real competitor on the golf course.

“He had a glare that could look straight through you, but I always enjoyed his company, especially on the golf course.

“Jack was a real nice fellow, and I was sad to hear he had passed.”