Many of the players in the field at the UniCredit Ladies German Open presented by Audi are playing with heavy hearts this week after Melissa Reid’s mother, Joy, was seriously injured in a car accident on Tuesday night in Germany and she passed away on Wednesday afternoon.
She and her husband, Brian, Melissa’s father, were in Germany to watch Melissa play in the tournament and many of the players had seen Joy on the night of the accident. Melissa wasn’t in the car at the time and Brian escaped with a few broken ribs.
Understandably, Melissa withdrew from the tournament and will spend some time at home with her family whilst they try to come to terms with this tragedy.
Melissa was due to play in the Deloitte Ladies Open in Holland next week where she was to defend her title but has put all playing plans on hold.
Melissa’s Solheim Cup partner Laura Davies expressed her sadness after her first round in Germany when she told the assembled media in a press conference that it was the worst thing she had experienced in 27 years on Tour.
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| Davies paid tribute to Joy Reid |
She said: “I knew Joy, Mel Reid’s mum, really well, because Mel and I get on really well and over the last two to three years her mum and dad have come to a lot of events and I’ve spent a lot of time with them. Dinners in Australia… in Australia, we were on the beach playing cricket with them and out to dinner two or three times a week because we were staying in the same places. You just know such a nice person and for that to happen to Mel and her mum and dad is the most awful thing I can remember in 27 years on tour.
“There have been some caddies killed in car crashes in America that I remember and very sad days but this one is by far for me the worst day I’ve known on the tour.
“Joy loved golf, she loved watching Mel play golf but was very kind to me and I sent Mel a text saying how kind Joy was to me over the years that I knew her. She wouldn’t want anyone to stop playing golf. She loved watching us play and she would be disappointed if anyone pulled out on her behalf.
“It’s not a sign of disrespect to play; it’s a sign of respect. I put her initials on my ball today and I probably will for the rest of the week and probably will for the rest of the year because she was a lovely lady and this is horrible for everyone and I can’t even imagine how Mel and her dad feel now.”
Melissa wrote on Facebook: “I hate writing this on Facebook but I know how much you love it mum ;). You’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever met. Life is not measured by its duration but donation. Love you always xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.”
Joy followed her daughter around the world at golf tournaments and was well known by the players, many of whom will wear black ribbons as a mark of respect this weekend.
