Australian golf has lost one of its great characters with the death of Ian Stanley at age 69 after a lengthy battle with cancer.
A successful teenage amateur, Stanley turned pro in 1970 and went on to become a prolific winner in Australasia with 19 victories on his home tour from the mid 1970s to the early 90s.
He also played seven seasons on the European tour where he was joint winner of the 1975 Martini International.
Joining the the European Seniors Tour after turning 50, he added the 2001 Senior PGA and Senior British Open titles to his resume among three wins there.
He later worked in the media, golf green construction and for charitable causes.
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Stanley spoke of health struggles and surgery in an interview for Australian Golf Digest published in May, revealing he was diagnosed in his mid-60s when a scan showed a large growth in a kidney and cancer having progressed into a vein.
"Now the cancer has gone into my spine for the third time and it has come to the point where we don't think we can beat it. But we've put up a good fight," Stanley told interviewer Michael Davis.
"Sitting around in hospital as much as I have, you tend to do a lot of reflecting. I was glad I made the effort to go out there and play again when I turned 50 because I had left a bit out there."
He also offered some advice for the current generation of players.
"Sport in general has lost its sense of fun. There are no characters any more. They all go through the same routine. I am not decrying that, but when you hole a putt, punch the air for God's sake.
"People love watching good golf shots but they also like to see sportsmen with a little bit of charisma."
Stanley is survived by his wife Pam and three daughters.
