Golfer drowned in bid to retrieve ball from lake

Thomas Ross, 73, from the Highlands, is believed to have drowned in a lake as he tried to retrieve a golf ball.

Mr Ross slipped into the water on Sunday morning while playing the fifth hole at the Dunas de Donana course in Almonte, southern Spain.

He was staying at the four-star Carabela Beach and Golf Hotel with five friends from his local golf club in Nairn where he had been a member for 33 years.

Manager Yvonne Forgan said the club was very sad to hear the news. “He was passionate about his golf and had a handicap of 17.

“He will be missed,” she said.

Mr Ross could not swim and, despite being pulled from the water alive, emergency services aided by a helicopter ambulance were unable to save him, according to local reports.

Local authorities took his body to Huelva for a post-mortem examination.