An air ambulance crew and staff from North Wilts Golf Club at Bishops Cannings battled to save the life of former RAF officer Ron Wood when he collapsed while playing golf on Monday.

Mr Wood, 84, who is a past captain of the golf club, died, despite their best efforts, after a suspected heart attack. Club secretary Trish Stephenson paid tribute to the old-school gentleman who had been a member of the club since 1977 and was captain in 1992.

She said: “He was always cheery and ready with a compliment. He was a true gentleman.

“Although in recent years his golfing handicap had gone up to 18 he still enjoyed competing and his regular 18 holes.”

The alarm was raised on Monday morning by a playing partner when Mr Wood collapsed while playing the 15th hole.

Mrs Stephenson said: “We took the call in the office and three of us immediately went down there with a defibrillator but there was nothing us or the air ambulance crew could do.

“I would like to thank the paramedics and our staff for everything they did.

“It was obviously very upsetting for us as we have known him for such a long time.

“The only consolation is that he died doing something he loved at a club that he loved.”

Mr Wood is believed to have come to Wiltshire when he was based at RAF Lyneham and settled in Cherhill, near Calne. He leaves a widow and two grown-up children.