As the crowd gathers around the Delhi Golf Club’s sprawling course covered in early winter fog, one can’t help but notice something. A black ribbon is worn by the pros as they ready themselves to tee it off for the DP World India Championship. What calls for such a gesture?

The black ribbon is worn in tribute to the late John “Scotchy” Graham, who passed away a few days back. Graham was a beloved figure in European golf and one of the sport’s most respected caddies. The news of his passing brought a wave of sadness across the golfing world.

First shared by Caddie World, Graham was described as “a friend to everyone who crossed his path” and “a big personality with a smile and a story for every occasion.” Tributes were quick to follow, with players and caddies alike remembering the legend for his humor and warmth.

Hailing from Glasgow, Scotland, Graham earned the affectionate moniker of “Scotchy.” The beloved caddie had spent decades carrying bags for some of the biggest names in golf. One among them was Lee Westwood.

He was one of the first players to share his grief online. In 1998, when a 24-year-old Westwood clinched a win at the Freeport-McDermott Classic in New Orleans, it was Graham who stood beside him carrying his bags. Six years later, they reunited for the 2004 Ryder Cup. Graham was again a part of Westwood’s victory as Team Europe won with a historical score of 18.5 to 9.5.

Sharing an image from the event, Westwood wrote, “Rest in peace Scotchy xxx.”

In recent months, Graham’s health had deteriorated as the Scottish continued with his treatment. He was suffering from brain tumors. Earlier this year, he revealed that the cancer had spread to his lymphatic system and no further treatment was possible. This only meant one thing.

Yet, ‘Scotchy’ remained optimistic. “I haven’t really been taking any News for a few months,” he wrote on Facebook. “I was at my doctor’s the other week, where I had 4 or 5 days of radiotherapy for my brain tumours. The doctor has said from now the cancer and the brain tumours are no more treatment that they can do. I am being very positive, whatever I am doing, I am doing my utmost best.”

His positivity shone bright when, just this August, Graham made an appearance at the Danish Golf Championship in Copenhagen. Caddie World posted a smiling photo of Graham. Little did people know it would be his last public appearance. On October 12, the veteran took his last breath on earth.

His death saw the caddying community come together to honor the legend one last time.

With John Graham being such a legendary European name, it would only make sense for the pros to honor him in this European Tour event. As Shane Lowry and co tee up in Delhi for one of the last events on the DPWT, this small ribbon will serve as a reminder of a legend who gave the sport his all.

Although this is not the first time the golfing community has worn a black ribbon to pay tribute.

Golf’s black ribbon tributes through the years

In recent years, the sight of a black ribbon often means that someone is being mourned by the community. But it has also come to be symbolized as a deep sense of camaraderie.

In July of this year, PGA Tour players, including Ricki Fowler and Adam Svensson, wore black ribbons with the initials “KH” during the 3M Open. The gesture was meant to honor Kayla Hale, the wife of Odyssey Tour representative Cody Hale, who had passed away after her long battle with cancer.  “Cody’s part of the family out here, and when you’re part of the family, their family’s part of the family, too,” Fowler said as he and others helped raise $100k for the support of the family.

Then a year ago, in May 2024, players at the Charles Schwab Challenge were seen donning red-and-black ribbons. That was a tragic time, when Grayson Murray — a fellow golfer — lost his life fighting depression at just the age of 30. The colors represented Murray’s favorite hockey team, the Carolina Hurricanes. That was a significant moment in golf, as talks around mental health took front seat.

And in January 2023, during the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, players and caddies again came together to pay their respects to Barry Lane. The five-time DP World Tour winner had passed away a month ago in December.

Moments like these take your attention away from the competition and remind you of golf’s greatest strength: compassion and solidarity.