Skip to main content

Tich McLachlan

Springboks Murray McLachlan, coach Alex Bulley, Laura Ranwell and Aubrey Burer at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games.

Murray 'Tich' McLachlan was born in Johannesburg in 1941. He attendedcthe King Edward VII (KES) school in Johannesburg, and also Maritzburg College, before completing a BComm degree at the University of Natal between 1958 and 1960. He was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to Wadham College in Oxford Univesity in 1961, where he completed a Masters degree in Jurisprudence. He next completed an MBA at Standford University in California.

Swimming for Natal at the 1956 South African Swimming Championships, Tich finished 4th in the 1650 freestyle. In 1957 he won the 1650 in 19:42,5, and he placed second in the 220 and 440-yard freestyle events. In 1958 he won the 440 and 1650, finishing in 18:58,0. In July 1958 he swam the 1650 in 18:19,2 at the 1958 Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, winning the bronze medal in the 1650-yard freestyle event. 

In 1959 at the SA Championships in Johannesburg, Tich won the 220, 440 and 1650 freestyle events. He repeated this in 1960 at Cape Town, where also won the 400 IM. In Kimberley in 1961 he again won those four events. He also finished 4th in the 100 freestyle and third in the 100 backstroke. 

Tich won 4 titles at the 1960 South African swimming championships. 

He swam at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games, where he competed in the 400 and 1500-metre freestyle events. He finished 6th in the final of both events. His time in the 1500 was 17:44,9 compared to his bronze medal-winning time at the Commonwealth Games of 18:19,2. Jon Konrads won that race in 17:45,4.

In 1961 Tich won the 1500m freestyle and came second in the 400m at the Universiade World Student Games in Bulgaria. At the 1963 Universiade in Brazil, Tich finished second in the 400m and third in the 1500m freestyle events.

While studying at Oxford Tich played water polo for the famous London Otters Club. After university, he moved to California where he continued to compete in Masters events. 

He married Judith Ray Sutton in 1971 and became a naturalized USA citizen in 1981.

Tich, based in California, competed in the South African National Masters freestyle events, winning the 400m
and taking second place in the 100m, 200m, and 800m in his age group.

From his LinkedIn page

Over thirty years of experience as a corporate officer with varied responsibilities and as a strategic, financial and industry consultant. Vice President Corporate Development and Board Secretary for TeraLogic for seven years. Prior to joining TeraLogic, established a management consulting practice for the electronics and semiconductor industries. Earlier, served as Vice President Corporate Development of LSI Logic Corporation for seven years and served on the Board of Directors of Nihon Semiconductor and LSI Logic KK. Earlier still, held senior management positions at Fairchild, including Vice President Strategic Planning, and General Manager of Asia.

1958 Empire and Commonwealth Games held in Cardiff: At the finish of the men's 1650-yard freestyle - Murray McLachlan (left) after finishing third behind Australians, Jon Konrads and Gary Winram.

Murray with Aubrey Burer at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games. 

Coach Alex Bulley with Murray, Laura Ranwell and Aubrey Burer.